Remembering the departure of a visionary explorer who challenged us with the question, "Was God an astronaut?"

By Michal Maňas - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1292281

Erich Von Däniken left this world in a Swiss medical facility on January 10, having lived 90 years. A cherished and regular presence on many broadcasts over many years, he sparked worldwide discussions that transformed how countless people view the universe and humanity's earliest history. Erich von Däniken.

Following the release of his groundbreaking work Chariots of the Gods? in 1968, von Däniken remained an unwavering advocate of the ancient astronaut theory. He consistently faced his detractors with confidence. His 1985 publication, New Memories of the Future, directly addressed skepticism, noting that while he acknowledged specific errors, he maintained absolute conviction in the core principles of his theories. His cultural impact was so significant that he received the inaugural Ig Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991, recognizing his exceptional talent for engaging public interest.

From Wikipedia: "The general claim of Däniken over several published books, starting with Chariots of the Gods? in 1968, is that extraterrestrials or "ancient astronauts" visited Earth and influenced early human culture. Däniken wrote about his belief that structures such as the Egyptian pyramids, Stonehenge, and the Moai of Easter Island, and certain artifacts from that period, are products of higher technological knowledge than is presumed to have existed at the times they were manufactured. He also describes ancient artwork throughout the world as containing depictions of astronauts, air and space vehicles, extraterrestrials, and complex technology. Däniken explains the origins of religions as reactions to contact with an alien race, and offers interpretations of sections of the Old Testament of the Bible."

His legacy extended well beyond books, influencing popular series like The X-Files and Ancient Aliens. Von Däniken's imagination materialized most tangibly in his themed attraction in Interlaken, Switzerland. Although the venue later ceased commercial operations, it stands as a symbolic tribute to human wonder—its mysterious domes and pyramids silhouetted against the majestic Swiss Alps. Erich's aspirations matched the magnitude of those peaks.

Von Däniken leaves behind Elisabeth Skaja, his wife and partner of 65 years, their daughter Cornelia, and two grandchildren. As we gaze upward this evening, we honor a visionary who showed us that reality often surpasses our conventional understanding.