Deaths in the 1940s

Gustav Bener

1873–1946 (age 73)

Cemetery Daleu

Gustav Bener was a civil engineer whose work strengthened Switzerland's infrastructure.

Ernst Herzfeld

1879–1948 (age 69)

Friedhof am Hörnli

Ernst Herzfeld was a notable architect who contributed to modernist design and urban development in early 20th-century E...

Mileva Marić

1875–1948 (age 73)

Cemetery Nordheim

Mileva Marić was a devoted teacher and mathematician whose perseverance left an inspiring example.

Lore Berger

1921–1943 (age 22)

Friedhof am Hörnli

Lore Berger was a Swiss writer whose literary work emerged in the early 20th century.

Albin Zollinger

1895–1941 (age 46)

Cemetery Nordheim

Albin Zollinger was a writer whose poetic voice captured Switzerland's spirit.

Fritz Sarasin

1859–1942 (age 83)

Friedhof am Hörnli

Fritz Sarasin was a prominent Swiss naturalist whose scientific research advanced natural history and biological knowled...

Heinrich Altherr

1878–1947 (age 69)

Friedhof am Hörnli

Heinrich Altherr was a painter whose canvases reflected sensitivity to color and light.

Friedrich Klose

1862–1942 (age 80)

Friedhof am Hörnli

Friedrich Klose was a Swiss composer whose works contributed to late Romantic and early modern classical music.

Gustav Gull

1858–1942 (age 84)

Cemetery Sihlfeld

Gustav Gull was an architect whose buildings shaped the urban face of Zurich.

Otto Mendelssohn Bartholdy

1868–1949 (age 81)

Friedhof am Hörnli

Otto Mendelssohn Bartholdy was a Swiss banker and member of the renowned Mendelssohn family.

Wilhelm Karl Trostel

1894–1942 (age 48)

Cemetery Nordheim

Wilhelm Karl Trostel was a politician committed to public service and social cohesion.

Otto Kappeler

1884–1949 (age 65)

Cemetery Manegg

Otto Kappeler was a Swiss sculptor whose works contributed to early 20th-century artistic practice.

Robert Haab (1893-1944)

1893–1944 (age 51)

Cemetery Manegg

Robert Haab was a jurist and statesman whose leadership helped guide Switzerland through challenging years.

Paul Klee

1879–1940 (age 61)

Schosshalden cemetery

Paul Klee was a pioneering Swiss-German modernist painter whose innovative work fundamentally shaped 20th-century art.

Otto von Greyerz

1863–1940 (age 77)

Schosshalden cemetery

Otto von Greyerz chronicled Swiss sensibilities in novels bridging tradition and modernity.

Lily Klee

1876–1946 (age 70)

Schosshalden cemetery

Lily Klee was a Swiss pianist and wife of modernist painter Paul Klee.

Edmond Jaloux

1878–1949 (age 71)

Bois-de-Vaux Cemetery

Edmond Jaloux enriched early twentieth-century literature with thoughtful criticism and elegant prose.

Federico Marescotti

1920–1944 (age 24)

Comologno

Federico Marescotti was a Milanese Italian who lived from 1920 to 1944 and was buried in Milan.

Fritz Brupbacher

1874–1945 (age 71)

Cemetery Hönggerberg

Fritz Brupbacher championed social reform with compassionate prose and tireless advocacy.

Ernst Hafter

1876–1949 (age 73)

Kilchberg cemetery

Ernst Hafter was a prominent Swiss jurist whose career shaped legal practice in Switzerland.

Gustav Däniker

1896–1947 (age 51)

Kilchberg cemetery

Gustav Däniker upheld duty with steady leadership as a respected General Staff officer.

Adolf Lüchinger

1894–1949 (age 55)

Cemetery Hönggerberg

Adolf Lüchinger was a respected Swiss judge whose judicial career advanced the Swiss legal system.

Verena Conzett

1861–1947 (age 86)

Kilchberg cemetery

Verena Conzett forged progress in publishing while championing education and labor rights.

David Robert Sprüngli

1851–1944 (age 93)

Kilchberg cemetery

David Robert Sprüngli was a notable Swiss entrepreneur whose business ventures shaped Swiss commerce.

Joseph Schmidt

1904–1942 (age 38)

Israelite Cemetery Lower Frisian Mountain

Joseph Schmidt touched hearts across Europe with his luminous voice and stage presence.

Felix Salten

1869–1945 (age 76)

Israelite Cemetery Lower Frisian Mountain

Felix Salten was an accomplished screenwriter whose creative works enriched European cinema and literature.

Alfred Strebel

1884–1943 (age 59)

Cemetery Albisrieden

Alfred Strebel faithfully supported the cultural life of his community.

Georg Kaiser

1878–1945 (age 67)

Monument Cemetery

Georg Kaiser was a notable screenwriter whose dramatic works contributed to European film.

Albert Hablützel

1865–1940 (age 75)

Rosenberg cemetery

Albert Hablützel upheld clarity and integrity in the pages he helped shape.

Felix Weingartner

1863–1942 (age 79)

Rosenberg cemetery

Felix Weingartner was a respected writer whose literary works contributed to Swiss cultural life.

Walter Weiler

1903–1945 (age 42)

Rosenberg cemetery

Walter Weiler embodied the spirit of football with skill, resilience, and sportsmanship.

Simon Ratnowsky

1884–1945 (age 61)

Rosenberg cemetery

Simon Ratnowsky was a dedicated teacher whose educational work influenced generations of students.

Jakob Ulrich Keller

1865–1942 (age 77)

Rosenberg cemetery

Jakob Ulrich Keller combined entrepreneurial vision with a generous commitment to his community.

Paul Fink

1875–1946 (age 71)

Rosenberg cemetery

Paul Fink was a dedicated conservator whose preservation work protected important cultural heritage.

Emil Freitag

1883–1947 (age 64)

Rosenberg cemetery

Emil Freitag was a respected politician known for his steady leadership and care for the public good.

Adolf Engeli

1875–1940 (age 65)

Rosenberg cemetery

Adolf Engeli was a dedicated conservator whose preservation work safeguarded Swiss cultural heritage.

Alfred Ziegler

1863–1949 (age 86)

Rosenberg cemetery

Alfred Ziegler was a devoted teacher whose encouragement shaped generations of learners.

Willy Hauser-Montag

1877–1942 (age 65)

Rosenberg cemetery

Willy Hauser-Montag was a respected lawyer whose legal career advanced Swiss legal practice.

Fritz Meyer

1868–1941 (age 73)

Rosenberg cemetery

Fritz Meyer was an engineer respected for his practical inventions and thoughtful problem-solving.

Fritz Meyer

1899–1949 (age 50)

Rosenberg cemetery

Fritz Meyer was an engineer who lived from 1899 to 1949.

Lina Bögli

1858–1941 (age 83)

Oschwand

Lina Bögli was an in-home tutor remembered for her warm guidance and encouragement.

Paul Budry

1883–1949 (age 66)

Cimetière de Saint-Saphorin

Paul Budry was a writer who lived from 1883 to 1949.

Richard Willstätter

1872–1942 (age 70)

Muralto Cemetery

Richard Willstätter was a pioneering chemist celebrated for his insightful research.

Max Emden

1874–1940 (age 66)

Ronco sopra Ascona Cemetery

Max Emden was a merchant who lived from 1874 to 1940.

Robert Maillart

1872–1940 (age 68)

Petit-Saconnex Cemetery

Robert Maillart was an innovative architect known for marrying daring design with structural elegance.

André Oltramare

1884–1947 (age 63)

Petit-Saconnex Cemetery

André Oltramare was a politician who lived from 1884 to 1947.

Armand Dufaux

1883–1941 (age 58)

Petit-Saconnex Cemetery

Armand Dufaux was an inventive pioneer whose work advanced early aviation.

Ignaz Friedman

1882–1948 (age 66)

Petit-Saconnex Cemetery

Ignaz Friedman was a composer who lived from 1882 to 1948.

Alexandre Freytag

1870–1947 (age 77)

Cartigny cemetery

Alexandre Freytag was a community-minded individual remembered for fostering thoughtful connections.

Charles Ferdinand Ramuz

1878–1947 (age 69)

Pully cemetery

Charles Ferdinand Ramuz was a writer who lived from 1878 to 1947.