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Frank R. Hugus, professor emeritus of German and Scandinavian studies in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, died Sept. 21 in Amherst.

For 50 years prior to his retirement in 2020, Hugus presented a wide variety of courses in Scandinavian and German subjects at UMass Amherst—ranging from “Old Norse” and “The History of the German Language,” to “Hans Christian Andersen” and “Trolls, Giants, and Dwarves.” He was the recipient of several research grants for research projects in Denmark and Iceland, including Fulbright, American Council of Learned Societies, and National Endowment for the Humanities awards.

In 2018, he published an annotated translation of Hans Christian Andersen’s debut 1835 novel, “The Improvisatore.” He had previously translated three novels by the Danish author and painter Hans Scherfig, as well as many short stories by contemporary Danish authors.

On campus, Hugus also served as director of the International Programs Office and associate provost for international programs from 2002-10, and was elected presiding officer of the Faculty Senate from 1994-97, from 2000-02 and from 2017-19.

A remembrance written by Hugus’ former colleagues can be found below, and a formal obituary was published Oct. 1 in the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

A gathering of friends will be held on a time in the future.
 

Frank R. Hugus
1941-2026

Frank R. Hugus, professor emeritus of German and Scandinavian Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, died in September 2026 in Amherst. He leaves his wife Susan, a daughter Jennifer, and three siblings. Frank was born in Franklin, Pennsylavania. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees at the Pennsylvania State University in 1963 and 1965, and his  Ph.D. at the University of Chicago in 1972. 

Frank taught courses in Scandinavian and German subjects at the University of Massachusetts Amherst from 1970 until his retirement in 2020.  His wide repertoire included courses in Old Icelandic language and literature, The History of the German Language, modern Danish, Scandinavian Mythology, Hans Christian Andersen, Dramas of Ibsen and Strindberg, Trolls, Giants, and Dwarves, and Humor and Social Satire in Scandinavian Literature. He also taught abroad, in France (Fulbright) and Germany (Baden-Wurttemberg Exchange).

Frank was a prodigious scholar and received numerous research grants, including Fulbright, American Council of Learned Societies, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the American-Scandinavian Foundation, for research projects in Denmark and Iceland. His main area of research was 19th and 20th century Danish literature, but he has also published articles on a variety of medieval Icelandic literary topics.

In addition he was an energetic translator, starting with a number of novels and stories from mid-20th century Danish writers, especially Hans Scherfig and Frank Jæger. He then turned his focus to Hans Christian Andersen. His complete translation of Andersen’s debut novel, “The Improvisatore” (1835), was published in 2018 by the University of Minnesota Press. He also published two H. C. Andersen dramas: “The Mulatto” and “The Moorish Girl” (2021).

Frank devoted himself to the profession, and especially to UMass. He served on numerous departmental, college, and university committees, including many years in the Faculty Senate including in leadership roles. He was chair of the Department of Germanic Languages and Literature for nine years, and served for nine years as Vice Provost and Director of the university’s International Programs Office.

Colleagues and friends will always remember Frank Hugus warmly for his resilience, positive thinking, and great sense of humor.

His UMass colleagues and friends,
James Cathey, Prof. Emeritus, Germanic and Scandinavian Studies
Eric Einhorn, Prof. Emeritus, Political Science
Sherrill Harbison, Senior Lecturer, emeritus, Scandinavian Studies