Joseph Height - Obituary
Noted German linguist, Dr. J.S. Height, passes in Indiana, U.S.A. The passing of Dr. Joseph S. Height of 1221 East Adams Drive, Franklin, Indiana, U.S.A. occurred on Holy Thursday, April 12, 1979 at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, U.S.A. The late emeritus of German linguistics at Franklin College was born december 21, 1909 In Tramping Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada, the eldest of 14 children and the son of Balthasar Heit and Appolenia, nee Bohn.
After completing his education in Tramping Lake, Dr. Height, attended St. John's College in Edmonton, Alberta where he specialized in foreign languages. After graduation he spent three years in Germany to study German and Philosophy. During World war II he taught in Victoria and Vancouver B.C. and obtained degrees in Philosophy and German from the University of British Columbia. From 1960 until his retirement in 1975, Dr. Height was Professor at Franklin College ands serve two terms as chairman of the Modern Foreign Language Department, introducing linguistic studies to the cirriculum.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Height published several professional books including an English translation of "Goethe's Lyric Poetry" and "Gold of Goethe" . In 1972 he published "Paradise on the Steppe" after twenty years of research on the culture and history of the Catholic colonies around the Black Sea. In 1975 he published "Homesteader on the Steppe" portraying the history of the Evangelical Colonies. In 1978 "Folksongs of our Forefather's" appeared. In spite of ill health he completed his last book, "Memories of the Black Sea Germans" bringing his history up-to-date, but did not live to see his book published.
Dr. Height is survived by his wife, Anneliese (Weber) Height of Franklin and two daughters, Margaret Ann Height of New York City and Teresa Kay Dosdall of Saskatoon, Sask; and son-in-law Lloyd Dosdall. He is also survived by his brothers, John B. Heit, Saskatoon; Frank Fetch, Burnaby, B.C.; Anton B. Heit, Tramping Lake, Sask.; Edward Heidt, Regina, Sask; Pius Heit, Calgary, Alberta; George Heit, Burnaby, B.C.; Balthasar S. Heit, Dundas, Ontario; Peter Heit, Burnaby, B.C.; Leo Heit, Edmonton, Alberta. His are Sr. Louise V. Heit, O.S.U., Saskatoon, Sask.; Appy Heit, Vancouver, B.C.; Martha Huber, Edmonton, Alberta.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Catherine (Breker) Height in 1958 and a brother Lambert Heit in 1965.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 16th at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Franklin, where he was a member. Rev. Father Robert Mazzola conducted the services. Arrangements were handled by Vandivier-Parsley Funeral Home. Burial was at the Greenlawn Cemetery. memorial contributions may be forwarded to to the Franklin College Library in care of Ron Howard.
Back to Main Bio Page