David B. Dickens *85

David Dickens, emeritus professor of German at Washington and Lee University, died Jan. 9, 2019, at age 85.

Dickens graduated with a degree in German and French in 1955 from SUNY Buffalo, and earned a master’s degree in German from George Washington University in 1958. Before joining the Washington and Lee University faculty in 1960, he taught at SUNY Buffalo, George Washington University, and Hollins University. In 1985 he earned a Ph.D. in Germanic languages and literature from Princeton.

He taught conversational German, German literature of the 17th and 18th centuries, German cultural history, and literature of the fantastic. On his retirement in 2007, his colleagues gave him a tribute for his successful efforts with German majors.

Dickens was a prolific scholar, publishing numerous articles and translations of German short stories, poems, and articles. Twice he was acting department chair, and he was a member of many university committees. He considered his most important achievement a total-immersive language program for his students studying in southern Germany, and especially at the University of Bayreuth.

He is survived by his wife, Monika; two daughters; and two granddaughters.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.