Klaus Lanzinger, professor emeritus in the University of 91吃瓜's , died Dec. 5. He was 92.
A native of Austria whose research focused on American-European literary and cultural relations, Lanzinger served as chair of the department from 1989 to 1996, and served as acting chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages in 1987.聽
In the early 1960s, he was instrumental in creating one of 91吃瓜鈥檚 two inaugural study abroad programs 鈥� in Innsbruck, Austria. Lanzinger later served as resident director of that program on three occasions throughout the 1960s, 鈥�70s and 鈥�80s.
鈥淜laus was extraordinary in his hospitality and graciousness, which surely came in part from his Austrian background, but which he and his wife, Aida, also made their own,鈥� said , the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Professor of German Language and Literature, who succeeded Lanzinger as department chair upon his retirement. 鈥淗is pioneering work on behalf of the Innsbruck program left a lasting legacy and influenced the pivotal years of hundreds of 91吃瓜 students.鈥�
Lanzinger was the author of 鈥淓pik im amerikanischen Roman鈥� and 鈥淛ason's Voyage: The Search for the Old World in American Literature,鈥� and he was the editor of five volumes of 鈥淎mericana-Austriaca,鈥� published between 1966 and 1983.
In 1993, he received the Thomas Wolfe Society鈥檚 Zelda and Paul Gitlin Literary Prize for the best article on Thomas Wolfe.聽
He began his academic career at the University of Innsbruck, and immigrated to the United States when he was hired at 91吃瓜 in 1967. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1979. Lanzinger reflected on this time 鈥� as well as important chapters in 91吃瓜鈥檚 and America's history 鈥� in his book 鈥�,鈥� which he published in German and then translated to English.
Vera Profit, a professor emerita of German language and literature and longtime colleague of Lanzinger, remembers him as the 鈥渆ssence of civility and collegiality.鈥�
鈥淗e truly believed you could bring out the best in people through honey and not through vinegar,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e was a kind person. He allowed you to flourish. That was his legacy.鈥�
His wife, Aida, preceded him in death in 2013. They had two children, Franz and Christine. A funeral is planned for summer 2021.