The native of New York City began his teaching career at Albertus Magnus College in Connecticut in 1978 and went to the Mount nine years later to teach European history. He attained the rank of full university professor in 2007.

Kalas specialized in French history and was an expert on early French nobility. He was the author of many articles and book reviews published in The Sixteenth Century Journal.

A viewing will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Immaculate Conception Chapel on the Mount St. Mary's campus in Emmitsburg .

The funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel, followed by burial at the Mount Cemetery. A reception afterward will be held in the Keeler Seminary Dining Room.

Kalas is survived by his wife of 37 years, Alida; children Michelle, Robert Jr., Amy and Edward; mother Sophie Kalas, sister Lucille Prchlik and a host of other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in the name of Dr. Robert Kalas be made to the Foreign Studies Program at Mount St. Mary's University, 16300 Old Emmitsburg Road, Emmitsburg , MD 21727.

For more on this story, read Tuesday's Frederick News-Post.

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