Lathrop died October 20, 2015.

Born in Kansas City, Mo., Lathrop grew up in the Middle East, speaking Arabic and Farsi along with English.  He prepared for college at the American Community School in Lebanon and Phillips Exeter Academy.  

At Princeton Lathrop majored in German, producing a thesis titled The Problem of Good and Evil in German Hesse.  He belonged to Charter Club, played soccer and tennis, managed a number of student agencies, and was president of the German Club.

After graduation, Lathrop studied German language and literature at Johns Hopkins University, earning a doctorate with distinction.  Over the years, he continued his studies in Germany, with grants from the Fulbright Commission, the German Academic Exchange Service, and the American Association of Teachers of German.

For 36 years Lathrop was a much-revered faculty member at Ball State University, in Muncie, Ind., where he taught phonetics, culture, beginning languages, drama, and poetry.  A pioneer in the use of computers, he was a national leader in the development of instructional programs in German.

The Class extends its heartfelt condolences to Susan, Lathrop’s wife of 42 years, and to the rest of his family.