05/29/2026
In Memoriam: Dr. Klaus Weissenberger
Dr. Klaus Weissenberger, Professor Emeritus of German Studies at Rice University, passed away on May 24, 2026.
Arriving at Rice in 1971, he devoted fifty years to the university, including sixteen years as chair of the Department of German and Slavic Studies, and also served as Master of Hanszen College with his wife, Eugenia. A distinguished scholar of German literature, his work on Paul Celan and German-Jewish literary traditions remains widely cited, and his publications shaped the fields of poetry, exile literature, and modern German studies.
Known for his intellectual rigor, generosity, and deep commitment to teaching, he inspired generations of students through courses on poetry, fairy tales, and literary interpretation. Colleagues and students alike remember his distinctive ability to connect texts, traditions, and ideas across centuries.
Beyond his academic life, he was a devoted member of the Rice community, a passionate tennis player, and deeply engaged in cultural life in Houston.
He will be greatly missed.
