Subject Editor: Maria Heikkilä
At the blessed age of 84, Harry van Oorschot passed away on 28 September 2017. He was a notable member of the Dutch and European lepidopterological circles. At the age of 13, Harry developed a strong interest in butterflies. Four years later, in 1950, he joined the Nederlandse Entomologische Vereniging. He had left secondary school early to work in the company of his father (as an apprentice in vulcanisation), and attention to the butterflies was necessarily confined to his then sparse spare time. Nevertheless, in a couple of years, Harry felt that the Dutch fauna was too limited for his appetite. At the meetings of the Nederlandse Entomologische Vereniging, he spoke frankly about his new love, European butterflies, at a time when most interest of Dutch entomologists was focused on their own fauna.
Harry van Oorschot, Amsterdam, 16 March 2014. Photo by Raanya de Vos.
On 6 April 1971, at the age of 38, Harry was appointed an honorary staff member of the
In the 1970’s, Harry, together with the then head of the entomological department of the
In view of Harry’s interest in European butterflies, it was only understandable that Harry joined the foundation meeting of the SEL at Bonn in 1976. At meetings of the SEL he met two colleagues who would greatly influence his lepidopterological activities for many years to come. These were Gerhard Hesselbarth (deceased 1999) and Sigbert Wagner (deceased 2004). Together, they decided to publish a work on the Turkish butterflies, based on numerous field trips and the study of many collections. The resulting publication finally appeared in 1995 in three heavy volumes. This accomplished, Harry found more time for the butterflies he loved above all, the species of the taxonomically difficult genus
A fruitful life has come to an end. May his (second) wife Iryna, his daughter Ingrid and his son Bob, together with their families, draw comfort from the warm feelings so many people still nurture for Harry.
Rienk de Jong