Peter Aschwanden (October 4, 1942 – December 3, 2005) was a New Mexican artist and illustrator whose work was emblematic of the 1960s generation's freewheeling spirit.

''How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive''

Aschwanden gained national prominence when under the name Junipero Scopulorum he illustrated a series of auto-repair manuals beginning with the 1969 manual ''How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot'', written by

John Muir John Muir ( ; April 21, 1838December 24, 1914), also known as "John of the Mountains" and "Father of the National Parks", was an influential Scottish-American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, botanist, zoologist, glaciologist, a ...

. Following Muir's death, additional new material and revisions for subsequent editions have been provided by Tosh Gregg. The independently published book sold about 2 million copies and is now in its 19th edition. A photo of Aschwanden appeared in the book, with the caption reading his

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name (orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individua ...

, "Amanda B. Reckondwith". Aschwanden would also contribute illustrations to Muir's publication, ''The Velvet Monkeywrench''.

Other works

Aschwanden illustrated the sequel to the original ''How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive'' book entitled ''How to Keep Your Volkswagen Rabbit Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot''. This publication was written by Richard Sealey (Muir had died in 1977) and published in May 1980 by John Muir Publications of

Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe ( ; , Spanish for 'Holy Faith'; tew, Oghá P'o'oge, Tewa for 'white shell water place'; tiw, Hulp'ó'ona, label=Tiwa language, Northern Tiwa; nv, Yootó, Navajo for 'bead + water place') is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. ...

. He illustrated another automotive manual through John Muir Press, How To Keep Your Honda Alive: A Manual of Step by Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot, published in 1983. He illustrated ''The Septic System Owner's Manual: Subterranean Mysteries Revealed'' in the same trademark style he used in the Volkswagen repair books.

Death

Aschwanden died of

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

on December 3, 2005. He was 63.

References

External links

Aschwanden's website
20th-century American illustrators 1942 births 2005 deaths {{US-illustrator-stub