Karl H. Cerny ’44

Karl died Nov. 11, 2019, in Arlington, Va. He was 97.

He prepared for Princeton at Richmond Hill School, where he was active in intramural sports, the orchestra, and student government. At Princeton he majored in politics, was a member of the orchestra, and was vice president of Court Club. He earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Yale, as well as a certificate in European studies from the Sorbonne in Paris. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Sigma Alpha.

Karl’s career at Georgetown University went from 1950 to 2019 as he rose from instructor to professor emeritus. His major teaching areas were German politics and federalism. He served on many committees as well as being department chair. He was a scholar with the CIA, a consultant with the Department of State, and a Fulbright lecturer, among other honors.

Karl was a prolific publisher, writing mainly about Germany’s various institutions, the Common Market, and the countries of Scandinavia.

He was predeceased by his wife, Constance Lark. Karl is survived by his sons, Karl ’73, John, and Tim; his daughter, Mary; and several grandchildren.