Literature professor, alumnus dies at 92

Longtime professor of literature Henry Remak died at his home last Thursday at age 92, following a prolific University career spanning seven decades.  

Born in Berlin, Remak attended various colleges throughout Europe and received his master’s from IU and his doctorate from the University of Chicago.

At IU Remak was professor emeritus of comparative literature and Germanic and West European Studies.

“Henry was one of the founders of the disciplinary of comparative literature in this country,” said Sumie Jones, professor of comparative literature and East Asian languages and cultures. “It was developed earlier in France, but its famous founders were immigrants from Europe, escaping the Nazi era.”

Remak came to America in 1936 and stayed with IU’s Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity free of charge.  Remak taught in the comparative literature department for more than 65 years.

“He always believed in the quality of literature,” Jones said. “He loved to teach. He did it to the end, almost.”