Prof. Emeritus Joachim Gaehde (FA), who died on Nov. 24 at the age of 92, was a man of many facets.

He was a leading scholar in his field, who once presented a project to the pope, but he also made an effort to involve and engage students, by bringing "wonderful facsimile reproductions" to class with him rather than presenting slides. He was a Holocaust survivor who, later in life, drove a blue convertible to work every day with the top down any time the weather would allow. According to Prof. Nancy Scott (FA), who worked closely with Gaehde for 10 years, he was "shy and sensitive," but at the same time, proud, dignified and self-confident.

Gaehde was born in Dresden, Germany in 1921 to a Jewish mother, according to a BrandeisNOW press release. Scott said that he was in, and ultimately escaped from, a concentration camp, after which he immigrated to the United States in 1950. He earned a graduate degree from New York University's Institute of Fine Arts, where he was "very much beloved by his colleagues," according to Scott. In 1962, he came to Brandeis and became an associate professor. In the 25-year career that followed, he served as a full professor, chair of the Fine Arts department and dean of faculty.

Gaehde specialized in medieval illuminated manuscripts, specifically Carolingian art, according to Scott. He was a leading expert in the field and was recognized for his scholarship with the 1960 Rome Prize, a distinguished award that includes a fellowship at the American Academy in Rome.

Despite his academic success, Scott said that Gaehde, her "mentor, supporter, senior colleague, and once-co-chair" was down-to-earth.

"There was just something about him, a bearing, that was very proud, self-confident, but he had a great sense of humor about himself and didn't take him too seriously for all that," Scott said.

"And he really would laugh about crazy things that people would say, or mistakes that he had made," Scott continued.

Scott also said that Gaehde was someone who clearly enjoyed life. He loved his Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs and had a love for fine food, so much so that when Scott once missed a departmental meeting for a French cooking class while Gaehde was chair, "he did not hold it against me," said Scott with a laugh.

Gaehde was married to Christa Maria Schelcher for more than 50 years until she passed away in 2002, according to the BrandeisNOW release. She was well known in the field of art conservation and restoration. Gaehde is survived by two sons and five grandchildren.

Scott said that there will likely be a memorial service, but details have not yet been announced.
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