Henry C. W. Inchumuk, of Hot Springs, SD, was born to Peter Henry and Clara Wichers on June 22, 1921, in Russell, KS, and left his Earth home on June 16, 2012, at the age of 91.

Henry always had a close affinity to nature and all living things, and as a child had exhibited a profound interest in anything that was alive. At age eight, he so admired the beauty of birds and other animals that he made some primitive attempts to preserve their form and beauty with spiritual-like fervor. His first formal introduction to taxidermy came around age 14 when he took a course from Northwest School of Taxidermy in Omaha, NE.

His goal in life was to be a taxidermist at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science where he felt he could realize his full potential. After graduating from high school he went to Denver, CO, to work for Jonas Brothers Taxidermy. In 1942 World War II was in process, and he was inducted into the Army and was called upon to mount specimens of birds and mammals from the post for officers' clubs and sergeants' clubs and day rooms for enlisted men. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he went to college under the G.I. Bill and attended Denver University, then Iowa University which had an accredited course in museum training. While at the University of Denver he took a night class with Dr. Niedrach who was an ornithologist at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Henry showed him some of his sculpture work. He was then asked to show his work to the museum director, Dr. Alfred Baily. After that it was arranged he would work at the museum with the objective to become curator following his classes at the University of Iowa, and he began working at the museum full time in 1948. His first position was chief taxidermist, then chief taxidermist and curator of mammals, and finally curator of sculpture and wildlife reconstruction. Throughout his career he achieved numerous awards for his work. He retired from the museum after 33 dedicated years. After his retirement from the Denver Museum, Henry lived in many places including Oregon, Arizona, and finally South Dakota. He continued to reconstruct selected specimens of birds and mammals and also created 17 bronze wildlife sculptures.

During his lifetime Henry made many creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance and inspired others to excel. On April 20, 2007, he was awarded the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Taxidermy and Fish Carving Championships in Reno, NV.

Survivors include his wife, Melody Inchumuk of Hot Springs; sons, Dean Wichers of Hot Springs; Mark Wichers of Cave Junction, OR; Roy Wichers of Sutton, AK; daughters, May Wichers of Sheridan, WY; Gail (Wes) Burno of Fairbanks, AK; step-son, Tim Prutzer of Colorado Springs, CO; Step-daughter, Joan Berry of Golden Co; brothers, Robert Wichers of Beloit, KS; Max Fairclough of Ireland; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

There will be a private memorial service held at a later date.

Arrangements have been placed on the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.