Harry B. Weber ’50

Harry died July 22, 2010, in Iowa City, Iowa. A colleague described him as a man with “an absolutely fantastic memory for jokes and aphorisms . . . a terrific raconteur and conversationalist . . . a great friend.”

He was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, but after his father died he moved to Denver, where he graduated as valedictorian of East Denver High School. At Princeton, he was a member of Theatre Intime and majordomo of Prospect Club. His degree was in economics.

Following graduation, he volunteered for the Air Force. He spent a year in the Army Language School, concentrating on Russian, and then served in Germany and Libya dealing with airborne interception of communications. Leaving the Air Force in 1954, he earned a master’s degree in Slavic studies and a Ph.D. in comparative literature at Indiana University. During a summer teaching assignment at Northwestern, he met a fellow tutor, Nellie Ryl, whom he married in 1961.  

In 1966, Harry accepted a position at the University of Iowa, where he taught Russian language and literature, specializing in the 19th century. He retired in 1993 as a professor emeritus. In retirement, he developed a passion for genealogy and found great joy from gardening.  

To Nellie, son Frederick, daughter Sabra, and three grandchildren, we extend sincere sympathy.