1943-2010

After working in Göttingen (doctorate in art history), Hanover (research project "Niedersächsische Denkmalkartei") and Braunschweig (Landesmuseum), Dr Ewald Gäßler came to Oldenburg in 1986 as the new director of the city museum. At the Carl von Ossietzky University, he took on teaching assignments in the former subject of Fine Arts / Visual Communication, later at the Institute of Cultural Studies and in the Master's programme "Museum and Exhibition". With his profound knowledge of art history, he was able to provide students with insights into genres, epochs and works of visual art. His museum, the Stadtmuseum, was not only open to teachers and students of the university for teaching, but also for jointly organised exhibition projects. Gäßler's openness and curiosity towards the arts made the museum a place of diverse artistic and academic experiences. Without many words, he practised successful co-operation between the university and urban culture. Not least because of this, he was awarded the title of honorary professor in 2001. He was a loyal and respected member of the faculty; despite his numerous commitments and offices, he never shirked his advisory and examination duties. On 13 May 2010, Prof. Dr Ewald Gäßler died after a serious illness at the age of 66. Students and colleagues at the Institute of Cultural Studies will miss his expertise, his modest demeanour and his commitment to art education.

Jens Thiele