Kuffner Stephan

(Bearbeiten)

Biografie:
Stephan Kuffner (1894-1976)
Stephan Kuffner was the son of Moritz von Kuffner who in 1885 made the first descent of the Mittellegi arete of the Eiger. At the time of his death Stephan must have been one of the very few surviving members of the Club-perhaps the last-to have climbed with Alexander Burgener; as a lad of 15 he went up the Valluga with him, the year before Burgener lost his life in an avalanche on the Bergli rocks. Burgener was a great friend of the Kuffners and often stayed with them in Vienna and elsewhere.
Kuffner was elected to the AC in 1939, proposed by H. K. Corning and seconded by A. E. Field. His first recorded visit to the Alps was in 1908 and from 1921 to 1937 he was climbing every year except 1931. His qualification list mentioned many climbs in the Austrian Alps, in the Pontresina district and around Zermatt and also no less than 101 ascents of the Rexalpe between 1918 and 1937. An article in the Alpine Joumal in 1951 first brought me in touch with him; he was gratified at the mention of his family's friendship with Burgener and expressed his thanks by sending more than one food parcel from America where he was then living; a typical act of kindness and a most welcome addition to the rather meagre larder of the average Briton in those days.
In the post-war years he usually spent the summer in Europe, most of it at Pontresina and it was here that we first met in 1956. He was a well-known figure in the village and whether one wanted a guide, or to search hotel registers for details of early ascents, the mere mention of his name ensured that one received every possible help and assistance.
His climbing days were nearly over by then but he was still a great walker, going frequently to all the huts round Pontresina; his favourite excursion was to the Segantini hut and in 1961 he visited it 20 times! That same year he climbed Piz Palü. Eventually he left New York and settled in Zurich. He was at Zermatt for the Matterhorn Centenary celebrations in 1965 and a happy memory remains of a little dinner party he gave there for a few of his friends in the AC.
He was of a most kind and generous nature, his kindness being demonstrated in many ways. He died at Zurich in November 1976 and will be much missed in Pontresina and by those who were fortunate enough to have been his friends.
D. F. O. Dangar
Quelle: Alpine Journal Volume 83, 1978, Seite 269-270


Geboren am:
1894
Gestorben am:
11.1976