In memoriam: Klaus Lanzinger, professor emeritus, German and Russian languages and literatures | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › In memoriam: Klaus Lanzinger, professor emeritus, German and Russian languages and literatures In memoriam: Klaus Lanzinger, professor emeritus, German and Russian languages and literatures Published: December 17, 2020 Author: Josh Weinhold Candles in the Grotto Klaus Lanzinger, professor emeritus in the University of Notre Dame's Department of German and Russian Languages and Literatures, 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.  In the early 1960s, he was instrumental in creating one of Notre Dame’s two inaugural study abroad programs — in Innsbruck, Austria. Lanzinger later served as resident director of that program on three occasions throughout the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. “Klaus 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,” said Mark Roche, the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Professor of German Language and Literature, who succeeded Lanzinger as department chair upon his retirement. “His pioneering work on behalf of the Innsbruck program left a lasting legacy and influenced the pivotal years of hundreds of Notre Dame students.” Lanzinger was the author of “Epik im amerikanischen Roman” and “Jason's Voyage: The Search for the Old World in American Literature,” and he was the editor of five volumes of “Americana-Austriaca,” published between 1966 and 1983. In 1993, he received the Thomas Wolfe Society’s Zelda and Paul Gitlin Literary Prize for the best article on Thomas Wolfe.  He began his academic career at the University of Innsbruck, and immigrated to the United States when he was hired at Notre Dame in 1967. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1979. Lanzinger reflected on this time — as well as important chapters in Notre Dame’s and America's history — in his book “A Transatlantic Diary 1961-1989,” 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 “essence of civility and collegiality.” “He truly believed you could bring out the best in people through honey and not through vinegar,” she said. “He was a kind person. He allowed you to flourish. That was his legacy.” His wife, Aida, preceded him in death in 2013. They had two children, Franz and Christine. A funeral is planned for summer 2021. Posted In: Faculty and Staff Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 04, 2022 NIH awards $4 million grant to psychologists researching suicide prevention September 09, 2022 Karrie Koesel to testify before Congressional-Executive Commission on China August 18, 2022 Two faculty win NEH grants to research history of red hair, philosophy of revelation August 16, 2022 NSF names Center for Computer-Assisted Synthesis a Phase II Center for Chemical Innovation August 15, 2022 Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., on Russian atrocities against clergy in Ukraine For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn