Obituary for Dr. Susan Wendt-Hildebrandt
Dr. Susan Wendt-Hildebrandt died peacefully in her sleep at home on February 6th, 2021, after a long battle with Posterior Cortical Atrophy, a form of dementia. She was born on October 30, 1947, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She later moved with her family to Saginaw, Michigan, where while in high school she began studying German. This first led her to take part in a year-long high school exchange program in Wolfenbüttel, Germany, and eventually to her life-long career. After graduating from Saginaw High School, Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt attended the University of Michigan, where she concentrated in Germanic Languages and Literature. She spent her junior year of university again studying in Germany, this time at the University of Hamburg.
Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt earned her PhD at Michigan in 1974 and was hired at the University of Windsor, where she taught German language and literature and linguistics, served for thirteen years as Head of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, and was very active in support of gender equity. She loved teaching and was an excellent professor; she delighted in introducing students to linguistics. Her other passion was the literature of contemporary German women authors, and after her retirement, a book of her interviews with a selection of these authors, Ich schreibe, weil ich nicht anders kann, was published, much to her delight.
Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt first met her future husband, Dr. Kai Hildebrandt, in 1967, and, after an inauspicious initial meeting, went on to marry him in 1972. They began their relationship chaperoning young exchange students on their travels across Europe, and their marriage was marked by many additional travels, including trips to Europe, the Caribbean, and through the Panama Canal. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 28, 2022.
Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt is survived by her husband Kai and her two daughters, Saskia Hildebrandt (David Borman) of North Bay, Ontario, and Katia Hildebrandt of Regina, Saskatchewan, as well as by her grandchildren Charlie and Alice Borman. She also leaves behind a sister, Christine Wendt of Saline, Michigan, and a brother, Tim Wendt (Mary Lou Solecki) of Oakland, California, as well as niece Diana Wendt of Seattle, Washington, nephew Christopher Wendt of Florence, Italy, and her Aunt Lillian Wendt of St. Joseph, Michigan. She is predeceased by her parents, Anita (née Weimann) and Arthur Wendt, and by her mother and father-in-law, Martha (née Köchlin) and Werner Hildebrandt.
Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt could not have continued to live in her home without the extraordinary love and dedication of her husband. The family is also very thankful for the love and support of so many wonderful friends and neighbours, as well as for the incredible, caring respite and personal support workers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Society of Windsor & Essex County or to SOS Children’s Villages of Canada.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt’s Life will be held at a later date, when safety permits. Arrangements entrusted to Families First, 3260 Dougall Ave., South Windsor, (519) 969-5841.
Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt earned her PhD at Michigan in 1974 and was hired at the University of Windsor, where she taught German language and literature and linguistics, served for thirteen years as Head of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, and was very active in support of gender equity. She loved teaching and was an excellent professor; she delighted in introducing students to linguistics. Her other passion was the literature of contemporary German women authors, and after her retirement, a book of her interviews with a selection of these authors, Ich schreibe, weil ich nicht anders kann, was published, much to her delight.
Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt first met her future husband, Dr. Kai Hildebrandt, in 1967, and, after an inauspicious initial meeting, went on to marry him in 1972. They began their relationship chaperoning young exchange students on their travels across Europe, and their marriage was marked by many additional travels, including trips to Europe, the Caribbean, and through the Panama Canal. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 28, 2022.
Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt is survived by her husband Kai and her two daughters, Saskia Hildebrandt (David Borman) of North Bay, Ontario, and Katia Hildebrandt of Regina, Saskatchewan, as well as by her grandchildren Charlie and Alice Borman. She also leaves behind a sister, Christine Wendt of Saline, Michigan, and a brother, Tim Wendt (Mary Lou Solecki) of Oakland, California, as well as niece Diana Wendt of Seattle, Washington, nephew Christopher Wendt of Florence, Italy, and her Aunt Lillian Wendt of St. Joseph, Michigan. She is predeceased by her parents, Anita (née Weimann) and Arthur Wendt, and by her mother and father-in-law, Martha (née Köchlin) and Werner Hildebrandt.
Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt could not have continued to live in her home without the extraordinary love and dedication of her husband. The family is also very thankful for the love and support of so many wonderful friends and neighbours, as well as for the incredible, caring respite and personal support workers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Society of Windsor & Essex County or to SOS Children’s Villages of Canada.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Dr. Wendt-Hildebrandt’s Life will be held at a later date, when safety permits. Arrangements entrusted to Families First, 3260 Dougall Ave., South Windsor, (519) 969-5841.