For more than 30 years at Bowling Green State University, Dr. Harry Hoemann was a popular professor, best
known for teaching American Sign Language (ASL) to persons with hearing.
Dr. Hoemann of Rosewood Drive, 82, died peacefully Saturday evening of natural causes at the Bowling
Green Manor.
Harry was born in Washington, Missouri, on January 10, 1932.
He sought an education in theology and after his internship, became a Lutheran minister for the deaf, and
was responsible for a large deaf parish for nine years in Washington, D.C.
He subsequently turned his focus to education and psychology, earning his Ph.D. under Hans Furth at
Catholic University, in 1969. Harry was immediately hired as an assistant professor in the Psychology
department at Bowling Green State University, and ultimately promoted to Professor Emeritus by the time
he was fully retired in 2000.
During his productive career he received several important research grants in developmental psychology of
deaf children, published his findings in notable journals and presented his work at international
conferences.
Early in his career at BGSU, one of his psychology students found out he knew sign language and pestered
him to teach her sign language, she also happened to play the flute. So they made a deal that she would
teach one of his daughters flute lessons in exchange for his teaching classes on ASL to her and
"anyone else" who was interested. He was amazed to find 40 people showing up to the first
class, which later became credited with up to 90 students enrolled each semester. Other projects took
off, notably with his wife Shirley, a professional illustrator. Together they created sign language
playing cards and flash cards, published by the National Association of the Deaf, and collaborated on an
educational video for Brazilian sign language after spending a summer in Brazil with the deaf community.
He also made instructional videotapes of conversations between deaf persons. Later on he and his wife
incorporated a publishing company and sold their educational materials world-wide. Harry also organized
yearly field trips to Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the first American university for the
deaf, for students interested in ASL.
Harry had a great sense of humor and an open mind. In his opinion of the deaf community, he believed
"They are not flawed hearing people. They are deaf people."
Harry had a creative career pathway, opening doors and offering truly unique learning opportunities to
his students that lasted beyond his years at BGSU. At the time of his retirement, he reminisced
"Twenty-eight years ago … sign language was not approved for use in the schools. It was almost an
underground language."
Harry is survived by his wife Shirley, married in 1956, two daughters Katherine (Jeff) Marsh of Los
Angeles and Caroline (Mike Buschmann) Hoemann of Montreal, a son Michael (Jennifer) Hoemann of Boston,
and 5 grandchildren Patrick, Max, Axel, Andrei and Anya.
Outside of work, he enjoyed camping at the ocean, gardening, traveling, the symphony, the Toledo Zoo, and
was a season ticket holder for the BGSU ice hockey, football and women’s basketball teams.
Public visitation will be held Wednesday, February 12, 2014 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the DUNN FUNERAL HOME,
Bowling Green, Ohio.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the DUNN FUNERAL HOME, located
in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 W. Wooster St.
Rev. John Randall will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be given in Harry’s memory to the Wood County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to invite everyone attending the funeral service to a post funeral luncheon, which
will be held at Sam B’s Restaurant, downtown Bowling Green.
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