In Memoriam: Robert Dassanowsky

Abstract

In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

• In MemoriamRobert Dassanowsky

From the Editors: In October 2023, the Austrian Studies Association lost one of its most beloved and influential members, Robert Dassanowsky. Robert’s contributions to the Association and to the field of Austrian Studies were legion. To honor his memory we offer here a few brief tributes, first from ASA President Teresa Kovacs on behalf of the Association, and then from several colleagues who knew Robert well.

________

Dear Members of the Austrian Studies Association,

It is difficult for me to write this small text in memory of Robert Dassanowsky, who passed away on October 10, 2023. Not because there is nothing to say about Robert, but on the contrary, because there is so much to say about him while I am still struggling to find the right words after his death has come so unexpectedly for most of us and leaves a great void.

Robert was an excellent scholar with singular expertise in Austrian film, literature, and Austrofascism, which is evident not only in his numerous publications in this field but also in the film studies program he established at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, which was his home institution since 1993. Next to his academic work, he was dedicated to supporting young and promising directors, which is visible in his work as a producer and head of Belvedere Film, which promotes innovative cinematic works from Austria. [End Page xi]

Robert has been a pillar of the Austrian Studies Association for many years and, frankly, it is hard to imagine our association without him. Robert has supported the ASA in various capacities: as President, as Board Member at large, and most recently as PR and Fundraising Board Member. Robert has always been concerned with the well-being of the ASA. He has consistently worked to make our organization visible and has been a driving force in expanding its network. This not only means that he constantly reminded us that the ASA must go beyond literature and literary studies, but also that he knew how to challenge the narrow boundaries of the purely academic field and connect the ASA with various cultural institutions and artists.

Robert had good foresight and he was committed to the constant expansion and internationalization of the ASA until the very end. I am infinitely grateful to him for this constant inspiration. This foresight is also reflected in the fact that he went above and beyond to support young scholars. I have experienced this myself, as it was Robert who motivated me to join the ASA Board in countless conversations when I was still a doctoral student at the University of Vienna. And I have heard from so many others in recent weeks whom Robert supported in a similar way, which has reminded me once again of the warmth with which Robert always welcomed new members into our organization and for how many of us he took on a mentoring role or served as an inspiring discussion partner for new projects.

We, the ASA, will commemorate Robert in several ways: through a detailed obituary of his life and work on our website, through a panel at the upcoming ASA conference 2024 at West Chester University, and through a special issue in the Journal of Austrian Studies.

Robert was a special person and we will miss him dearly.

Or, in more personal terms, I will miss your Handküsse, Robert, and the sophistication you brought into every room. Thank you for this waltz!

Von Herzen,
Teresa Kovacs
President of the Austrian Studies Association

________

Robert Dassanowsky’s achievements as a film and literary scholar, which are beyond doubt, his impressive publications on Austrian film and his commitment to the Austrian Studies Association are mentioned in other obituaries, [End Page xii] which allows me to make my contribution a little more informal and personal. I met Robert in 2011 at the ASA conference in Washington, PA. He was Vice-President of the Association at the time and immediately accepted me as his peer, treating me as an equal, even though I had only recently received my Ph.D. a few months earlier. I remember a lively evening at the hotel bar with...