Services for Gerhard Mario Ferrante

Gerhard Mario Ferrante, age 75,  of Miami, Florida USA and Vienna, Austria died on August 6, 2018 in Vienna, Austria. Mario was born in Vienna and was both Austrian and Italian. 

Mario served as a paratrooper in the Italian Air Force and also as a UNESCO volunteer in Africa.

His academic studies included Geology, International Studies, and German Literature  at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, MN.  He did his graduate studies at the University of Miami in Florida.  Mario was also fluent in German, English, Italian and Spanish.

Mario worked for 25 years as a museum Chief Curator of Archaeological / Natural History artifacts,  Exhibits Director and Conservator of Exhibits.

He was also a professor at Nova University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University and Miami Dade College.  In addition, Mario liked lecturing at Alliance Francoise, Miami Archaeological Society, Institute of Maya Studies, Egyptology Society of Miami, Tribal Art Society, South Florida Museum of Natural History, Miami Museum of Science and the Lowe Art Museum

Mario was a cultural historian, loved exploring, world traveling and was an excellent photographer.

Mario is survived by his wife, Joan (Landgren) Ferrante. They met at Bemidji State University and married in 1984. They had no children. After retirement, they enjoyed living 6 months in Europe and 6 months in Florida.

Memorial Services will be held in Vienna, Austria.

Mario had a great smile, a captivating sparkle in his eyes and a wonderful sense of humor.  His students, friends and family loved his ability to share his vast knowledge – all of which will indeed be missed.

Mario loved to quote:  “when you travel to other points of the World, your ideas will change when you return…”