Dr. Christian J. Kloesel

Dr. Christian Johannes Wilhelm Kloese l 64, Professor and Chair Emeritus, Indianapolis, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2006. He was born in Breslau, Germany, on July 8, 1942 to Josef K1ösel and Felicitas Glusa Klösel Brammertz, both of whom precede him in death. He received a B.A. in English and French with a minor in Philosophy (University of Bonn, Germany, 1965), Certificat Superieur de Langue et Civilisation Francaises (University of Caen, France, 1964), M.A. in English (University of Kansas, 1967), M. Phil. in English (University of Kansas, 1970), and a Ph.D. in English (University of Kansas, 1973). Originally a medievalist, Christian wrote his dissertation on English poet John Gower (a contemporary and friend of Geoffrey Chaucer), but he also became a scholar of philosopher Charles S. Peirce. Christian's career at IUPUI began in 1976 when he served as Assistant Editor of the Peirce Edition Project, becoming Associate Editor in 1978, Senior Associate Editor in 1981, Editor in 1983, and Director and Editor from 1984-93. Prior to his arrival in Indianapolis, he was Assistant Instructor of English (University of Kansas, 1966-71), Assistant Professor of English (Texas Tech University, 1971-75), and Special Assistant (Texas Tech Library and Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism, 1975-76). While devoting his time to the Peirce Edition Project, receiving more than a half million dollars in grants for the program, Christian also rose through the ranks of English Professorship, becoming Chair of the department in 2001 and serving faithfully until his retirement on July 31, 2006. He also served as Adjunct Professor of American Studies (1988-2006). Throughout his life, Christian belonged to at least 12 professional organizations, received many prestigious appointments, gave invited lectures throughout North and South America and Europe, procured a total of 16 grants, fellowships, and scholarships, and authored, edited, compiled, andor translated 21 books. He also published 33 chapters, articles, review essays, notes, and reports as well as several poems. In 2005, he received the Outstanding Distinguished Faculty Award (IUPUI School of Liberal Arts), and in 1971, The Junior Panhellenic Association Teaching Award ("For Outstanding Service as a Faculty Member," Texas Tech University). He was president of the School of Liberal Arts Faculty Assembly (2000-02), served on several boards, and chaired a number of faculty committees in Liberal Arts and the IUPUI Faculty Council. During the span of his career, Christian taught courses on Chaucer, Beowulf, Old English, Classical Greek, Peirce and Semiotics, The Epic and many, many more. Tireless in his devotion to IUPUI, Christian never missed a graduation ceremony or turned down an opportunity to serve his colleagues and students, always striving to make the university a better place. Even in his declining health, he refused to take the time off that he so desperately needed, insisting that there was simply "too much to do." With a list of accomplishments and contributions too numerous to completely be recounted or fully appreciated, Christian J. W. Kloesel was a man to be noticed. Erudite and urbane, witty and eloquent, he strove, always, for excellence and rarely failed to produce it. His gruff and distinguished exterior never quite managed to hide his enormous heart. He is survived by his adoring wife, Kelly of Indianapolis; daughter, Alicia Turchette of Boulder, Colorado; son-in-law, Quentin Turchette of Boulder, Colorado; stepson, Roman Snow of Indianapolis; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, godchildren and stepsiblings in Germany. His absence from this world has left a deafening silence for all who knew him. He is deeply, deeply missed. Christian donated his body to the IU Medical School; there will be no funeral or showing. His memorial service will be held Saturday, January 13th at the University Place Hotel on the IUPUI campus from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: IU Foundation for the IU School of Liberal Arts, Post Office Box 663802, Indianapolis, IN 46266-3802.