Helmut Grosser was a vital part of the bond between USITT and OISTAT in the early years

Such sad news! Helmut Grosser was a vital part of the bond between USITT and OISTAT in the early years when the Soviet Block kept our theatre colleagues from traveling to the West. So many vital connections were made with Eastern delegations from the DDR, Prague, Hungary, Romania and Poland and we were able to travel to meetings that were coordinated between Joel Rubin and Helmut. That relationship enabled people from the countries of the eastern bloc like Svoboda, Vychodil, Soupukova, Wever and others to have exchange visits to the United States. Helmut's vitality in technical and facility development was most noteworthy with his development of a unique opera scenery transport and warehousing system in Munich. There have been later applications of his ideas by others that give tribute to his advancing the industry. We will miss his smiling face and friendliness. May his family be well and be assured that his memory will not be forgotten.

Len Auerbach
Founding member of the American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC), Fellow of USITT