Chief interrogator at Nuremberg Trials and Miami University Vice President Emeritus John E. Dolibois passes away

John E. Dolibois, former U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg and last American survivor of a team that interrogated top-ranking Nazis for the Nuremberg Trials, died Friday, May 2, at his home in Cincinnati. He was 95.

In addition to volunteering at the Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education and speaking to groups around Cincinnati, Dolibois was fortunate to have a close relationship with Josh Rothstein, Wyoming, and his family.

Josh used to work at Evergreen Retirement Home his senior year in high school, which is where he met Dolibois and his wife. After mentioning he was wait-listed at Miami University, Dolibois mentioned that he would speak to a few people. The next thing Josh knew, he was accepted to the school.  “Who ARE you?, “ Josh remembers asking Dolibois. Unaware that Dolibois was Miami University’s vice president emeritus for university relations, or that he had helped establish a study abroad program in Luxembourg in 1968 (The Luxembourg center was renamed the Miami University John E. Dolibois European Center in 1987), Josh didn’t realize what a special and unique relationship he had started.

After high school, Josh continued his visits with Dolibois, and encouraged friends who were history-buffs to visit as well, since Dolibois loved talking to people and telling stories. When Dolibois’ wife passed away, Josh made sure to take him out of the retirement home and keep him busy, including having him over to his family seders for Passover. Josh even invited Dolibois to his graduation from Miami University – and he came, sitting with the Rothstein family instead of on the podium with the other MU administration and important guests.

“We had a special relationship” says Josh.

Dolibois was born Dec. 4, 1918, in Luxembourg. In 1931 at the age of 12, he immigrated with his father to the United States on July 4, joining John’s sister, Marie, who was living in Akron.

He graduated from Akron North High School as president and valedictorian of his senior class and earned a four-year scholarship to Miami University.

He majored in psychology at Miami, graduating with honors in 1942. He became a U.S. citizen his junior year in 1941 and married Winifred “Winnie” Englehart (Miami ’42) during their senior year at Miami.

He took a job at Procter & Gamble as an industrial engineer. When drafted later in 1942, he pointed out that he was fluent in German. He was eventually commissioned a lieutenant in the cavalry and transferred to a military intelligence center in Camp Ritchie, Maryland.

In March 1945 Dolibois became a member of the five-member Army Intelligence team that interrogated the highest-ranking Nazi war criminals after the fall of the Third Reich, leading up to the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. This included Hermann Goering, credited as the architect of the Nazi industrial machine and second in command under Adolf Hitler.

After six months of interaction, he knew some of Hitler’s most trusted and senior-deputies well. When the defendants went to Nuremberg, Dolibois followed, interpreting their responses to Rorschach inkblot tests given by an Army psychiatrist.

After the war, Dolibois, who left the Army as a captain, returned to his job at Procter & Gamble until May 1, 1947, when he became Miami University’s first full-time alumni secretary. He later became the first director of alumni affairs and development and, in 1966, first vice president for development and alumni affairs. In July 1981 he was named vice president for university relations, overseeing the news and publication offices as well as public relations, development and alumni programs.

After 34 years at his alma mater, he retired so that he could represent the United States as ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg 1981-1985. In June 1981 he told the Associated Press that his nomination was the capstone of his career.

During his ambassadorial tenure, the 999-square-mile country of 365,000 was visited by Vice President George Bush, Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, Secretary of State George Schulz and Gen. Alexander Haig.

He and his wife Winnie returned to Oxford in 1985 to retire. Until his death, Dolibois was a frequent speaker to students and other groups about his experiences surrounding the Nuremberg Trials.

John was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Winifred “Winnie” Englehart Dolibois (Miami ’42), in 2009 and by their son, Brian Charles Dolibois (Miami ’80). Survivors include sons who are also Miami graduates, John Michael Dolibois ’66 (Alison) of Oconto Fall, Wis., and Robert Joseph Dolibois ’69 (Susan) of Arlington, Va., eight grandchildren and other family members.