Gunther J. Holst

Dr. Gunther J. Holst (94), Distinguished Professor Emeritus, died February 26, 2025, at home, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Bremen, Germany, October 17, 1930, he came to the United States in 1953 and served in the United States Army from 1953-1956 in Korea and Japan. He received his BA degree with Honors and High Distinction in German from the University of Illinois and his doctorate from the University of Texas. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the recipient of a Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship and a University of Texas Fellowship. He came to the University of South Carolina in 1970 from the University of Illinois, where he had taught the previous four years. He became Associate Professor in 1974, Full Professor in 1982 and Distinguished Professor in 1995. Author of books, editions, translations and articles, he was also co-founder of Camden House Publishers and co-managing editor of Studies in German Literature, Linguistics and Culture (1979-1997), a series that published well over 200 scholarly books.

Dr. Holst was active in faculty governance at the University of South Carolina for many years; he served on and chaired a number of university committees and was elected chair of the Faculty Senate (1989-1991) and represented the faculty on the Board of Trustees during that time.  In addition to other administrative duties, Dr. Holst served as Associate Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and retired as Chair of the Department of Germanic, Slavic and East Asian Languages and Literatures in 1996. In recognition of his achievements in the field of German and in the promotion of cultural and literary relations between the United States and Germany, he was awarded the Order of Merit by the president of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1998.

Dr. Holst was grateful for his long retirement. He felt blessed to have a wonderful family and enjoyed spending time with them. His travels with Phyllis to Europe and beach trips and a Rhine River Cruise with his whole family, were highlights in his retirement.  He was an avid golfer and loved playing at Ft. Jackson with the greatest bunch of golf buddies anyone could have. 

Surviving is his wife of 67 years, Phyllis A. Holst (Wright), as well as his son, Dane Holst (Gary), his daughter, Adriana Tyler, his grandchildren, Hannah LaChance (Brent), Alaina Holst (Mike), Evan Tyler (Olivia) and Braden Holst. He is also survived by his sisters and sister-in-law, Gisela Smith, Karen Staffe and Edith Holst as well as his brother-in-law, Gib Wright (Donna) and his nieces and nephews.

Gunther was pre-deceased by his parents, Bernard and Katerina Holst, his brother, Bernard Holst, his brothers-in-law, Rudi Staffe,  Gary Wright and  Don Smith,  nephew Bernard and niece Karen, and his son-in-law, Lee Tyler.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.