Diethelm Prowe
Diethelm (Diet) Prowe died peacefully on Saturday, March 7th at the age of 74. Diet taught modern European history at Carleton for 42 years, beginning as an instructor in 1966 and retiring as the Laird Bell Professor of History in 2008. Diet was passionate about the intellectual development of young people, and in addition to teaching, he was also the pre-law advisor and Mellon minority student program director. He contributed to scholarly work in the study of Germany, focused on post-WWII Germany, the process of democratization, and later the appearance of the new Radical Right. He was thoughtful and well organized—characteristics which aided his editing of the German Studies Review journal from 2001-2011. Diet was kind and generous to his students and colleagues, a strong and gentle mentor to many.
Diethelm (Diet) Prowe died peacefully on Saturday, March 7th at the age of 74. Diet taught modern European history at Carleton for 42 years, beginning as an instructor in 1966 and retiring as the Laird Bell Professor of History in 2008. Diet was passionate about the intellectual development of young people, and in addition to teaching, he was also the pre-law advisor and Mellon minority student program director. He contributed to scholarly work in the study of Germany, focused on post-WWII Germany, the process of democratization, and later the appearance of the new Radical Right. He was thoughtful and well organized—characteristics which aided his editing of the German Studies Review journal from 2001-2011. Diet was kind and generous to his students and colleagues, a strong and gentle mentor to many.
Diethelm was also a dedicated husband to Peggy, father to Derek and Freya, and grandfather to five beloved grandchildren. A more complete obituary will be forthcoming.
A memorial service for Diethelm will be held during Carleton’s Alumni Reunion on Friday, June 19th, at 9:30am in Skinner Memorial Chapel.
Donations in memory of Diethelm will be gratefully accepted towards the Professor Diethelm Prowe Endowed Scholarship Fund at Carleton College (c/o Gift Accounting, One North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057), or to an alternate charitable cause of your choice.
Please keep all of Diet’s family, friends, colleagues, and former students in your thoughts and prayers.
In sorrow and gratitude,
Carolyn