Long-time German Society member, former Vice President, and Emeritus Director Dr. Armin Mruck (100) passed away at his retirement home Blakehurst in Towson, Maryland, on October 1, 2025. Born June 6, 1925 in Osterode/East Prussia (now Ostroda/Poland) Dr. Mruck studied history and philosophy at the Universities of Marburg and Goettingen from where he received his Ph.D. in 1951. He met and married the love of his life Marlene Stocker, an American, in 1952.
After his emigration to the US he started his teaching career in 1953 at New York University, followed by becoming an Assistant Professor of European History at Morgan State College in 1955. In 1967 he was offered a full Professorship from Towson State College history department (now Towson University) where he remained until his retirement in 1994. In addition to his teaching responsibilities Dr. Mruck initiated faculty and student exchange programs with the University of Oldenburg, where he also was a guest professor for many years. His research interests were many and included the German resistance movement during the Third Reich and reconciliation work between Poland and Germany. Building Bridges (Bruecken bauen) has been one of the most important concerns in his life.
His many achievement awards include The German Society of Maryland’s Service Award; Distinguished Professor emeritus, Towson University; Recipient of the German Bundesverdienstkreuz; Honorary Citizen of the City of Oldenburg/Germany; the Carl von Ossietzky medal of the University Oldenburg, and the German-American Friendship Award from the German Embassy.
Dr. Mruck is survived by his three children, Dieter, Lauren, and Heidi, and many grand- and great grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors Tuesday, October 7, from 3–5 and 7 –9 pm at the Eckhardt Funeral Chapel, 11605 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 8, 2025, starting at 10 am, at Zion Church, 400 E. Lexington Street. A graveside service will be held at 2 pm at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Finksburg, MD.
