36 | APRIL 11 • 2024
were written 80 years ago as part of
Guy’s formal evaluation when he left
Camp Ritchie, about to become a staff
sergeant in the United States Army.
His first evaluation report said among
other things, ‘He’s quiet, unassuming,
theatrical and, most importantly, quite
intelligent.’”
A CHERISHED PROFESSOR
Wayne State University (WSU), like
The HC, was a second home to Dr. Guy
Stern. The university and its students
were represented by Steffi Hartwell,
dean of the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences, and Dr. Donald Haase,
professor emeritus of German.
Hartwell reflected on Stern’s nearly
three decades as a professor in German
after serving as WSU’s provost. “I’m
here,” she said, “on behalf of the
generation of students who were
inspired by Dr. Stern throughout his
storied career, and countless scholars,
colleagues and friends at Wayne
State and worldwide who cherish his
memory.”
Hartwell reflected on his legacy of
profound academic and professional
accomplishments but said, “Guy,
however, was most proud of his lasting
effects in the classroom. His students
appreciated beyond measure his broad
and deep knowledge of all things.”
Haase was a student of Stern’s long
before he was a colleague and dear
friend. “The most meaningful memory
I have of Guy predates our time at
Wayne State,” said Haase. “I first came
face to face with Guy Stern in 1968
when I walked into the classroom of my
very first college class at the University
of Cincinnati, an introduction to
German literature that he was teaching.
“I was uncertain whether I was
getting in over my head,” Haase said.
“I approached him and spoke my first
words to him: ‘I’m not sure I’m in the
right place.’
“He assured me I was, and he was
right about that. In his classroom, in his
sphere of influence, I was exactly in the
right place.”
PASSION FOR MUSIC
The day’s remembrances would not have
been complete without reflections on
Stern’s passion for music. We learned
that Guy had a particular fondness for
German-born composer Kurt Weill that
was nurtured from the age of 6 when
young Günther would accompany his
parents, Hedwig and Julius, to the opera.
Stern’s lifelong dedication and
appreciation for Weill’s works led to his
involvement and contributions to The
Kurt Weill Foundation for Music in
New York. Guy had befriended Weill’s
widow, acclaimed actress and singer
Lotte Lenya, upon completing his Ph.D.
OUR COMMUNITY
continued from page 35
RIGHT: Susanna Stern in
loving tribute to her beloved
husband, Guy, said, “Today
he’s here, He is with us: with
me, his wife, with his friends,
with his dear colleagues and
other veterans ... We all came
together today to focus on
our love and respect for Guy.”
Wayne State Dean Steffi
Hartwell said just like
The HC, WSU was a
second home to Guy.