Tribute to the late Stefano Tirinzoni

Access, Featured, Membership

Stefano Tirinzoni, member of the UIAA Management Committee, passed away on April 29 at the age of 62 after a long illness.

He worked as an architect and in urban planning in his home town of Sondrio, Italy, and he had a special interest in the field of mountain huts. He was responsible for the recent rehabilitation work of the hut, Capanna Marco e Rosa, in the Bernina sector of the Alps.

He worked with the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) holding different positions at different times: Vice Secretary General, member of the Board, member of the Central Council.

He also paid a lot attention to environmental and conservation issues: he was in the Board of the Stelvio National Park for six years and led an outstanding project to preserve architectural heritage.

The UIAA remembers his constant attention to Access issues: for a number of years he was a member of the Access Commission.

Elected to the Management Committee in Bormio, he pushed for the development of a database of all documents produced by the UIAA in its long history. Continuing his work will be the best way to remember him.

The following is a tribute from Robert Pettigrew of the UK, former president of the UIAA Access and Conservation Commission:

I am honoured to be asked to pay a tribute to the life and work of Stefano Tirinzoni, who was a founder member and enthusiastic activist of the UIAA Access and Conservation Commission from its foundation until his election to the Management Committee some ten years later.

During my many years of campaigning in the Ortler Group from a base at Santa Caterina I had heard of the mountaineering architect from Sondrio, and his reputation for the design and construction of the most modern mountain huts in the entire Alpine range. So I was delighted to welcome him as a most valued member of the A&C Commission when it was launched during the presidency of Ian McNaught-Davis. I was not disappointed.

Together with his good friend Joerg Eberlain, then president of the DAV Environment Commission, Stefano became the inspirer and advocate of the mainstream work of the Commission. Perhaps his principal triumph was “Argeo’s Charter” which set out the principles and practice of how the mainstream international mountaineering community could assist “third world” mountaineering communities to raise and maintain their standard of living.

Added to his passionate concern for the welfare of the hill peoples of remote communities was his dedication to the work of the UIAA, the application of his professional skills as a leading architect, and his technical skill as a mountaineer. In ten years he never missed a meeting of the Access and Conservation Commission, and his contribution to its work was immense. Finally, he was a much loved and respected companion “on the hill”, and our condolences and thoughts are with Titti his wife, and his immediate family.

Yes – our roads are due to meet I’m sure.

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