Dr. Klaus Hochheim researching polar sea ice.
Solemn ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard Helicopter Tragedy
The 10th anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard Helicopter Tragedy marks the passing of Dr. Klaus Hochheim.
On September 9, 2013, three dear friends and colleagues were lost when the CCGS Amundsen’s helicopter crashed into the icy waters of M’Clure Strait in the Canadian High Arctic. Mr. Marc Thibault, Commanding Officer, Mr. Daniel Dubé, helicopter pilot, and Dr. Klaus Hochheim, research scientist at CEOS, University of Manitoba, were concluding a helicopter ice survey when the tragic accident took place. These men gave their lives in the pursuit of science. Fueled by a passion to better understand the impacts of a changing climate on our environment on behalf of the peoples of Canada and the greater global community, they selflessly conducted fieldwork in spite of the inherent dangers of Arctic research.
Klaus was a talented scientist, dear friend, and colleague to many within the tight community of Arctic researchers at the University of Manitoba. He was an expert in remote sensing; using satellites to understand changes taking place in the Canadian Arctic and regularly conducted fieldwork to validate those observations. Beyond being a scientist, Klaus was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother to a close-knit family. He was 55 years of age. As we commemorate the 10-year anniversary of this tragedy, it is important to remember these three, and their contributions and lasting legacy to research in the Canadian Arctic.
Dr. Klaus Hochheim on Arctic sea ice during one of his many research expeditions.
The University of Manitoba joins the Hochheim family in grieving their loss and commemorating the tenth anniversary of this tragic accident. A ceremony will be held in the Dr. Klaus Hochheim Memorial Theatre (Room 545 Wallace Building) on September 8. The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a display of Klaus’ photography in the foyer of the Hochheim Theatre, followed by a live broadcast of a memorial ceremony jointly hosted by the Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada.
Dr. Klaus Hochheim’s obituary: https://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-206034/Klaus_Hochheim
Dr. Klaus Hochheim’s first memorial post: https://news.umanitoba.ca/u-of-m-researchers-mourn-tragic-passing-of-colleague/
Opening of the Dr. Klaus Hochheim Memorial Theatre: https://news.umanitoba.ca/dr-klaus-hochheim-memorial-theatre-opened-at-private-ceremony/
Video presentation of the memorial event: https://youtu.be/eUd2iKg8LNc