Dear Members,

1. With profound grief and sorrow, we deeply regret to inform passing away of Cdr Hugh Gantzer (60038-Z), PADMA SHRI at 0820h on Monday, 2nd February 2026 due to Cardiac Arrest at Landour Community Hospital, Mussoorie. He was 95 years of age.

2. Cdr Hugh Gantzer (60038-Z) joined the Erstwhile Supply & Secretariat Branch of the Indian Navy as a Direct Entry Officer and was commissioned on 3rd October 1953. On completion of 20 years of meritorious service, he retired on 31st December 1973.

3. During his illustrious career, he held several important Afloat and Ashore appointments as follows: –

(a) Afloat Appointments:

(i) INS Rajput.
(ii) INS Delhi.
(iii) INS Mysore.
(iv) INS Jamuna.
(v) INS Khukri.

(b) Ashore Appointments:

(i) INS Hamla.
(ii) INS Valsura.
(iii) INS Garuda.
(iv) INS India.
(v) Judge Advocate, Southern Naval Area.

4. While posted at Bombay he studied Law at KC College, Church Gate, Bombay University. Consequently, he was appointed as the first Judge Advocate of Southern Naval Area (now Southern Naval Command). He took pre-mature retirement on 31st December 1973. Post retirement he and his Late Wife Colleen became India’s pioneering travel writers. Apart from over 25 books, numerous articles and 52 documentaries for Doordarshan, they also made two documentaries for the Indian Navy – Seafort East and Citadel of the Sea. He earned over seven national awards including the Padma Shri, the National Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award and two gold awards from the Pacific Area Travel Association. The couple had made their home in a charming Victorian cottage called OckBrook that is nestled in the Oak woods of the Himalayas.

5. Funeral Ceremony of Late Cdr Hugh Gantzer, Padma Shri was solemnised on 4th February 2026 at Mussoorie Cemetery.

6. We pray to Almighty God to grant eternal Peace to the noble soul of Late Cdr Hugh Gantzer at his heavenly abode.

7. We convey our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to all members of the grieving Family of Late Cdr Hugh Gantzer and pray to Almighty God to grant them peace, solace, comfort, strength, courage, fortitude and forbearance to bear pain of irreplaceable loss.

NOK: Mr Peter Gantzer, Son.

RIP

Team NFPC