Herbert Matthias Wickenheiser
June 13, 1940 – August 31, 2024
Herbert Matthias Wickenheiser died peacefully on August 31, 2024, in Colchester, Vermont, surrounded by his sons, grandsons, and friends. A devoted Buddhist practitioner, he was supported in his transition by traditional chants and songs.
Herbert was an early attendant in the 1970s to his root teacher, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. He went on to sculpt Tibetan Buddhist carvings for shrines and buildings at Karmê Choling in Vermont and Dorje Dzong and Drala Mountain Center in Colorado. He is also remembered for his penetrating examination of the Buddhadharma and devotion to his teachers.
Herbert leaves behind his sons, Jacob Wickenheiser, Gampo Wickenheiser and Aaron (Erin) Wickenheiser, as well as four grandchildren, Demetrius, Necalli, Sorsha, and Osheen. His ashes will be scattered in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Please remember him in your practice at this time.
“That native mind itself is pure like space is emaho!”
Eight Wonderful Forms of Happiness, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
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I encountered Herbert in the mid-1980's at Karme Choling shortly after I had taken up meditation. I was probably 17 or 18 years old, and went to Karme Choling to work in childcare during two summers.
I interacted with Herbert and his sons Jake and Gampo who were also at KCL during parts of the summer. He was an older male (compared to me), roughly analogous to what my kids would call a "Boomer" today, but he was unlike the other older men I had encountered in my life. He and Paul Warwick and Peter Orlovsky were all at KCL, and they impressed me with their devotion to practice, primarily expressed in their willingness to be on the spot. Herbert had a wonderful energy; yes, somewhat intimidating and too intense for polite company, but it takes all types.
I really appreciate the encounters I had with Herbert.
I knew Herbert from the early days at Tail of the Tiger. He carved molds for the shrine room pillars and the throne that the Sixteenth Karmapa sat on. He was a bit intimidating. He told a few stories about being a Merry Prankster with Ken Kesey in Mexico. His son, Jake, was born in the town in Mexico where I live, Tepoztlan, and I saw Jake here once. Coincidentally,
Herbert visited my daughter’s house in Vermont once because she used to have sheep, not. knowing she was my daughter. Herbert was a smart, no bullshit kind of guy, and very devoted student.
