Travel writer Hugh Gantzer, 95, dies in Mussoorie

MUSSOORIE: Padma Shri award-winning travel writer Hugh Gantzer passed away at his Mussoorie home late Monday evening at the age of 95.

Apart from one of India’s highest civilian honours, Hugh, along with his wife Colleen Gantzer (who passed away in 2024 at age 90), was recognised with six national awards, the National Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the All India Anglo-Indian Association, and two gold awards from Pacific Asia Travel Association.

In 2017, the couple also received commendation from the Prime Minister’s Office for their pioneering contributions to travel writing.

The couple began their career after being commissioned to write a book on Kerala for the India Tourism Development Corporation. Over the next five decades, the Gantzers produced 52 documentaries for Doordarshan, authored more than 30 books, and wrote travel columns for several leading English newspapers.

“My father was a passionate man, defined by his love of writing and deep curiosity about the world. He lived with great pride in what he had built and gratitude for the blessings he had received. He and my mother were inseparable, spending their lives weaving together their love for one another with their zeal for travel. I can only hope they are together again now, at peace,” said Peter Gantzer, the author’s son.

The burial will be held on Wednesday at Camel’s Back Cemetery in Mussoorie.

Hugh Gantzer served in the Indian Navy as Commander and Judge Advocate of the Southern Naval Command. Since 1990, he had been a member of the monitoring committee constituted by the Supreme Court to track environmental issues in Doon Valley and Mussoorie.

Gantzer, who was born and brought up in Mussoorie, hailed from an influential Danish family. His great-great-grandfather was an officer in the Danish court who came to India in the early 19th century. His father, Joseph Francis Gantzer, served as the director of survey in Bihar and Orissa under the British govt and, after retirement, chose to settle in Mussoorie.

In 1941, Joseph was elected chairman of Mussoorie Municipal Council (MMC) and later served as its administrator.

As news of Hugh’s death spread, residents gathered to bid a tearful farewell to a writer who had chronicled India with rare warmth and wit.

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