Prof. Litzenberg Dies Unexpectedly

Dr. Karl E. Litzenberg, 64, professor of English at the University, the U-M's first director of residence halls and "father" of the Michigan House Plan, died unexpectedly at his home at 3625 E. Huron River Dr. last night. i A member of the U-M faculty since í 1929, he was named the first director of ] University residence halls in 1933. That was the year in which the U-M opened ] its first large residence halls and made . its first commitment to provide living quarters for students. In 1939, Dr. Litzenberg instituted the Michigan House Plan by which student residence halls were developed as learning units as well as living units. He served as residence halls director until 1943, but continued teaching courses in English during that period. Dr. Litzenberg was a specialist in poetry and Victorian literature, and was known in recent years for his translation into English of the works of Icelandic Nobel Prize winner Johannes Jensen. Prof Russell Fraser, chairman of the U-M English department, said today "Karl Litzenberg was for many years a greatly valued and deeply devoted member of the department of English. "His courses in Victorian literature and lyric poetry were justly popular with a generation of students. Colleagues knew him as a man of uncommon learning, especially in Danish literature which he had translated with fidelity and grace. "His activity in the wider community included service on virtually every important U-M committee. Prof. Litzenberg is particularly remembered for his deI cisive role in the founding of the MichI igan House Plan." Dr Litzenberg was chairman of the I Scandinavian Section of the Modern I Language Association of America in the I early 1950s. He was a member of the I committee which reviews applications for U.S. State Department Fulbright grants I for study in Scandinavian countries. He - - was himself the first Fulbright Fellow tol study Scandinavian literature in Den-B mark, spending 1952-53 as a research pro-H fessor at the University of Copenhagen.B Dr. Litzenberg served part-time on theB U-M Dearborn Campus faculty in 1959-65, ■ and was chairman of the Dearborn 1 ature, Science and Arts División until ■ 1964. ■ He had served as chairman of the U-M I Literary College curriculum committee, and at various times was a member of the m. Board of Control of Intercollegiate M letics, the University Broadcasting Service ' executive committee, and other major Í3 committees. Dr Litzenberg was a member of the ■ ate Ássembly, the U-M faculty's ■ tive body, at the time of his death. j Bom on July 2, 1905, in Minneapolis, he 1 was graduated f rom the University of I; nesota in 1928. He carne to the U-M that ■ year to begin gradúate study, earning a ■ master's degree in 1929 and a doctórate in 1933. He became an instructor in 1929, ■ and was promoted through the ranks to ■ full professor in 1949. He was the author of "Old Icelandic 1 erary Influences on Victorian England," "The Social Philosophy of William Morris" and "Doom of the Gods." Düring World War II he saw action as a I lieutenant and lieutenant commander in I the U.S. Navy air arm in the Pacific. He and Marjorie MacGregor were I ried in 1929. She sur vives. Other survivors I include a son, William, a senior in the I U-M Medical School, another son Karl F. I of Chicago, and a daughter, Jane, in New I York City; three grandchüdren, and a I ter, Mrs. Avis Stickney of Minneapolis. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 I , p m Thursday at St. Andrew's Episcopal I ; Church Cremation has taken place, with I ; arrangements by the Muehlig Funeral ; Chapel. r Memorial contributions may be made 3 to the Rector's Fund of St. Andrew's Church.