Professor Keith W. Thomson died last night in Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Professor Thomson had been actively involved in the museum community, both
in New Zealand and internationally, for at least twenty five years.
As Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum, National Art
Gallery and National War Memorial of New Zealand he advocated the need for a
new museum building for many years. Last week Professor Thomson was welcomed
by the Chief Executive of the The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa,
Cheryll Southeran, and given a guided tour of the new museum building.
Although the building is in the early stages of exhibition installation
Professor Thomson was able to envisage what it would look like when it opens
in February 1998.  He was greatly moved by this opportunity to see the final
stages of this new development.
Professor Thomson was an active member of the ICTOP Committee of ICOM and
was a prime mover in the establishment of the Museum Studies Programme in
1989 at Massey University where he was Dean of Social Sciences.
Those of us, both in New Zealand and around the world, who have benefited
from having Professor Thomson as a mentor and friend will miss him.

Haere ra e te rangatira.


For further information please contact David Butts, Director of Museum
Studies, Massey University. [log in to unmask]