Uta-Renate Blumenthal

Uta-Renate Blumenthal, or Uta to those who knew her well, passed away in Essex Vermont on August 2 after a brief illness.

Born in Berlin, Germany in 1935 to Erwin Blumenthal and Elsbeth Schmissas, she was the oldest of four sisters and one step-brother. After growing up during World War II in Germany, she followed her three sisters to the US as a young woman and eventually became a US citizen. She was a lifelong academic with a distinguished career in Medieval Studies. She obtained her Ph.D from Columbia University in 1972. She held an assistant professorship at Vanderbilt University, before becoming a full professor at the Catholic University of America. She is the author of many books and publications, and specialized in research about the Investiture Controversy of the ninth-twelfth centuries and the Gregorian reform of pope Gregory VII.

Uta spent most of her life in Hyattsville, Maryland, where she had many friends and colleagues. She enjoyed gardening, cats, classical music, sewing, contra dancing, and traveling. She was a religious person and was active in the Lutheran faith and at Hope Lutheran Church in Maryland. She moved to Vermont in 2020 to be closer to family. Her friends and family will remember her for her great sense of humor, her kindness and generosity, and her keen intellect. She will be sorely missed by all.

She was predeceased by her parents, and her sisters Heidi and Gloria. Survivors include her sister Barbara and brother Konrad, and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

Her family wishes to thank the exceptional staff at Mansfield Place Assisted Living and Bayada Hospice care.

A future memorial service is being planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to causes that Uta was passionate about, which include the Humane World for Animals (HSUS) online by clicking here and Doctors without Border online by clicking here.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27