The TRUNK75 was dedicated to the memory of ACAD Alumni Mike Zeindler
City
Tuesday, August 28, 2001 B3
CALGARY HERALD
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Diver had passion for art, life
"I was always the studious, cautious one and he was the one who had flair," added Peter, who became a doctor.
Indeed, Michael Zeindler gained a reputation after graduating from the Alberta College of Art & Design in the mid-1980s for producing some offbeat, provocative pieces.
Under the cover of night, Zeindler and a group of collaborators once left a collection of animal heads in front of City Hall.
"The guy was a real Renaissance character in the community," said local artist Bart Habermiller.
Art dealer Doug MacLean recalled exhibiting sculptures that Zeindler made using the stretched skin of burbot he caught in the Bow River.
"He made some beautiful things with it," said MacLean.
"He'd eat the fish and use the skin."
Zeindler also participated in the Graceland Art Rodeo, an outdoor collection of sculpture stage in a field at Barlow Trail and 50th Avenue S.E., and played in bands at local venues.
"We used to haul scrap metal together to get money to buy beer during the lean years," Habermiller recalled. Zeindler may have been a renegade when it came to his art, but being a father to his daughters Michelle, 14, Rhea, 11, and Naomi, 9, was another matter, Habermiller said.
"He took that really seriously - he didn't goof around with that."
The cause of the accident that claimed Zeindler's life is still under investigation. Zeindler was diving in the Bow River about 15 kilometres west of Morley when he became separated from his diving partner, Stu Davies.
Calgary Fire Department divers flown to the scene by STARS air ambulance found Zeindler in about 10 metres of water near the shore. His tank was out of air and he was still wearing a weight belt.
In addition to his children and his younger brother, Zeindler is survived by his parents, Robert and Elizabeth, his spouse, Lorelei, and sisters Susanne, 45 and Christine, 35.
Jason van Rassel
Calgary Herald
Members of Calgary's artistic community are mourning the death of an original.
Michael Zeindler, known in the local arts scene during the late 1980's and early '90's for his avant-garde style, ran out of air while scuba diving in the Bow River west of Calgary on Sunday.
In addition to art, the 44-year-old father of three had a passion for the outdoors and - the Bow was often at the centre of his pursuits, his younger brother said Monday.
"He loved fishing, swimming and was constantly in the Bow," Peter Zeindler said from his home in South River, Ont.
Peter said his brother became interested in diving a few months ago and took a course. Though it was a new interest for Michael, it was one in a long list that included canoeing, skydiving and travelling.
"He lived, and he didn't waste any time," Peter said.
Lorelei, Noami, Rhea came to the TRUNK75 to hear Don Mabie announce the dedication to Mike. His daugther Michelle
lives in Edmonton with her mother and was not able to attend.
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