Julian Widmer

Ancestors

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Biography

Julian Pachacutec Widmer was born in 1960 in Arcata California, but for most of his childhood, home was in Stockton California. In 1971, Julian’s father undertook a two year scientific project to study the limnology of the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca. The Widmer family moved to Peru.

Living in Peru was often a difficult experience. The military president, Juan Velasco, was implementing drastic economic and social reforms. There was sometimes rioting in the streets. Julian has to deal with anti-American sentiment at school. Despite these difficulties, Julian became deeply attached to his mother's country, the family, and the culture of the Andean people. At this early age, Julian became interested in electronic. His homemade business card read, "Julian Widmer, genius in electronics",

Julian went to high school at El Molino HS in Forestville, CA. His senior year, rather than move back to Stockton CA with his family, he chose to live in a small one room "treehouse" that he and his father built.

Julian was an avid reader. Among his favorites were the Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan novels. He read all 24 novels and became quite influenced by then. He became an excellent tree climber, a wilderness survivalist and a part of the wilderness he spent so much time in.

Julian obtained a degree in Electronic Engineering at the University of the Pacific where his father was a professor. He did an internship at NASA building flight simulators. Although he had been interested in the electronics from childhood, the time of his graduation his interest in electronics began to wane. He wanted to make things with his hands, and took up building boats in the converted garage where he and I lived. The first boat he built was a catamaran, using non-electric hand tools only.

on July 23rd 1983 Julian would go hiking in Sequoia National park with his girlfriend and her father. At the age of 23, this is where he would have his fatal accident. His father would later write, "He was backpacking with Allison and David Olson, but took off on his own for his rendezvous with death. We suppose he was exuberantly happy right up to the moment of his unconsciousness. We are heartbroken."

Sources

• Ramon Widmer, firsthand knowledge. Click the Changes tab for the details of edits by Ramon and others.