Klaus-Peter Schwarz

Dr. Klaus-Peter Schwarz, a world-renown inertial geodesist and Professor emeritus, Geomatics Engineering, University of Calgary, passed away in Calgary at 3:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 at age 73.

Klaus-Peter Schwarz joined the Faculty of Engineering in January of 1980, into the newly-formed Division of Surveying Engineering, after completing degrees at universities in Germany, Canada and Austria. He was a leading researcher world-wide in the area of inertial navigation and gravimetry, and Head of the Department of Geomatics Engineering from 1990 to 1995. He retired in 2001.

Schwarz worked to establish the University of Calgary as an international centre of excellence in geodesy. He contributed enormously to the research and high graduate educational standards of the department and University. His former graduate students are now internationally recognized scientists throughout the world. He developed numerous new methods related to integrated navigation and airborne gravimetry, and served as president of the International Association of Geodesy from 1995 to 1999. He published more than 200 major scientific publications in the area of geodesy and navigation.

Schwarz was conferred the eminent and rarely given title "Doctor Engineer Honoris Causa" by the University of Hannover, Germany, on the occasion of its 175th anniversary celebrations in 2006. In addition, he received an honorary degree from Wuhan University, PR China in 1994, and was a Full Member of the Russian Academy of Navigation and Motion Control, in addition to numerous international awards and recognitions. He was recognized as a Killam Fellow in 1986 by the University of Calgary.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. at Thornhill Baptist Church, 128 Tache Avenue NW. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ‘Hope International’, PO Box 608 Stn Main, New Westminster BC, V3L 9Z9 or online at www.hope-international.com. Mark gifts as: Schwarz Memorial Fund.