In Memoriam, Leonard Lutwack

We regretfully inform you of the sad news that Professor Emeritus Leonard Lutwack passed away on April 1. Professor Lutwack was 91.

Having received his BA and MA degrees from Wesleyan and his Ph.D. from Ohio State, he joined the University of Maryland English Department in 1955 as an assistant professor and retired as a full professor in 1982. 

His specialty was the 19th- and 20th-century American novel, and, beyond his various essays, his books included Heroic Fiction:  The Epic Tradition and American Novels of the Twentieth Century (Southern Illinois UP, 1971) and The Role of Place in Literature (Syracuse UP, 1983).  He did extensive service in the department and was the first advisor to the first student literary magazine.  Professor Lutwack also directed some thirty-six graduate dissertations and theses, with many of his students, such as Carolyn L. Karcher and Harrison T. Meserole, going on to distinguished careers. His colleagues and students obviously admired him. 

He is survived by his wife Ruth and his daughter Penelope.  A memorial service will be held for him at the Ruck Towson Funeral Home in Towson on Friday, April 18, at 4 p.m.