Gerald M. Moser

Gerald M. Moser January 3, 1915 - March 2, 2005 Gerald M. Moser died on March 2, 2005, at The Atrium of the Village at Penn State. He was born in Leipzig, Germany, the scene of his early education (he observed decades of loyalty to his high school friends in periodic reunions). He began advanced studies in Geneva, Switzerland, and soon decided to specialize in philology and literature. From 1933 to 1939 he attended the Sorbonne in Paris, pursuing studies in Latin, Romance, German and Spanish literatures. The ultimate result was his 1939 Paris University Doctorate in Portuguese and German literature. Dr. Moser immigrated to America in 1939, taught in several colleges and universities and did post-doctoral work at the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin. In June 1945 he became an American citizen, having recently married Ingeborg Rogel of New York, who preceded him in death in 2002. They are survived by their children Andy Moser of Annapolis, MD and Mary A. Moser of Inverness, CA. Dr. Moser taught at the University of Illinois from 1945 to 1949, then came to Penn State, where he taught Portuguese, Brazilian, and Spanish American literatures for 30 years, ultimately in the Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese; he retired in 1978. Dr. Moser's productive scholarly activity was constant before and after his retirement, chiefly in Luso Brazilian studies, and increasingly in African literature in Portuguese; in the later field he was a pioneer. In his last years he was preparing a book on the judgments of Portuguese writers on their country's colonialism from its beginnings to the 19th century. Dr. Moser met and corresponded with many writers in all areas of his interests, participated in conferences here and abroad, and hosted lectures of distinguished authors at Penn State. He was a collaborating editor and was a board member of several learned journals and was the recipient of various research fellowships and awards. In 1978 a special issue of the Luso Brazilian Review was dedicated to him by colleagues and in 1991 the Republic of Portugal honored him as a Grande Oficial of the Order of the Infante Dom Henrique. At Penn State, Dr. Moser enthusiastically encouraged students of Portuguese by means of monetary prizes, scholarship aids, and the conversation group called The Clube do Bate Papo. In 1950, along with his wife, Inge, he helped found the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Centre County and was twice its president. Its main meeting room was named Moser Hall at the 50th anniversary celebration. Dr. Moser long cultivated the work and memory of the 18th century scientist and Unitarian philosopher-theologian, Joseph Priestley, and he had many other interests, such as gardening, art, travel, journal-keeping, and civic activism; he was also an early sponsor of the Penn State Federal Credit Union. A memorial service celebrating Dr. Moser's life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 780 Waupelani Drive Extension, Saturday, April 2, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Moser Award for Excellence in Portuguese in the Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, the Park Forest Day Nursery, or the Green Party.