Siegfried Ernst Mews

1933 - 2022

Siegfried Ernst Mews
September 28, 1933 - October 26, 2022
Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Siegfried Mews, 89, died on October 26, 2022 in Chapel Hill, N.C. He was born in Berlin, Germany and grew up in the small town of Schlanstedt (Sachsen-Anhalt).
From early on, Siegfried proved resilient in overcoming obstacles-distances, wartime circumstances, displacements, reprisals-that stood in the way of his pursuit of an education.
At age eleven, after a fourth-grade teacher spotted his potential, he was recommended for admission to a secondary school for boys in Halberstadt. To attend, he had to travel 15 kilometers daily by bike and train. His schooling was disrupted in 1945, when the train station in Halberstadt was bombed. Siegfried graduated in 1952, but was required to work in an iron foundry before being allowed to begin his studies at the University of Halle in 1953. In 1958, he was expelled from the university for his participation in a discussion group deemed "conspiratorial." Recognizing that he had few prospects in East Germany, he fled in 1958 to West Berlin. After spending eight weeks in the refugee camp of Marienfelde, he was flown to Hamburg, where he completed his university studies.
An exchange scholarship in 1961 allowed him to study at Southern Illinois University, where he received his Master of Arts in English in 1963. After receiving his doctorate in Comparative Literature from the University of Illinois in 1967, he accepted a position in the Department of Germanic Languages at UNC-Chapel Hill. There he taught, mentored MA and PhD candidates, planned conferences, did research, and published and edited numerous reviews, articles and books in both German and English. He retired in 2008.
In 1961 Siegfried met and later married Linda Mueller. Along with their son Randy, who was born in 1964, the couple enjoyed participating in many outdoor activities, including sailing, camping and hiking. When Randy's daughters were born, Siegfried embraced his role as "Opa" with great enthusiasm. In 1998, Siegfried married Marilyn Metzler, a teacher who shared his love of the German language and foreign travel. Siegfried indulged his penchant for travel in trips to six continents and his competitive spirit in sports (tennis, sailing and skiing). His love of music and theater was reflected in his regular attendance at plays and concerts.
Siegfried enriched the lives of those close to him through his personal warmth, compassion and sense of humor. His legacy will live on in a loving family, among his students, in his prolific scholarly writings, and in friendships sustained over a lifetime.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Metzler, his son, Randy Mews, and three granddaughters, Kylie, Casey and Kendall, as well as his former wife, Linda Mews.
In accordance with his wishes, Siegfried's ashes will be interred in the Memorial Grove on the UNC campus in a private family service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union, Doctors Without Borders, the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice. The complete obituary can be viewed at CremationSocietyNC.com. Remembrances of Siegfried are welcome.