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.