Harry Wohlert

October 29, 2019

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Harry Wohlert was born in Berlin, Germany, on February 21, 1935, to Stephan and Anna Wohlert and passed away on October 29, 2019.  In 1956, he escaped communist East Germany and immigrated as a refuge to the United States, after which time he enlisted in the US Air Force.  After his discharge, he attended Oklahoma State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and pursued a master's degree at the University of Oklahoma, where he met a young lady, Hilde, who would become his wife.  Later at OSU, Harry earned a doctorate in physical education.  Harry and Hilde came to OSU in 1967 where both worked as professors of German in the German Department for nearly 30 years.  They were innovative in developing programs in curriculum development and pioneered the German by Satellite program that allowed more than 30,000 students across the United States to learn German.  Harry was honored by receiving the Nobel Endlowed Professor of Technology Enhanced Learning and also served as president of the Oklahoma Foreign Language Teachers.  Harry was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Hilde.  He is survived by his children, Christina and Martin, as well as by his son-in-law Tim.  In addition, he is survived by two grandchildren.