Retired MSU Biology Professor Dr. David Magrane dies

Morehead State University mourns the death of retired biology professor Dr. David Magrane, who died Friday, Dec. 31, in Lexington at age 79.

Born January 6, 1942, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to the late George and Pauline Magrane, he was the husband of Mary Magrane.  

Magrane began his career at MSU in 1976 as an assistant professor. He was named an outstanding professor at MSU in 1998 and was nominated for the Carnegie Outstanding National Teacher Award in 2000. That same year, he was named chair of MSU’s Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, a post he held until his retirement in 2007. In 2008, MSU honored Magrane by naming the University’s molecular biology laboratory in his honor. The naming of the lab was championed by colleagues and former students who raised the funds to name the lab.  

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, Joe (Renee) Magrane of Tampa, Florida; Jennifer Boatwright of Lexington; Joanie (David) Blevins of Flat Rock, Michigan; and Julie (Drew) Muntz of Richmond. He is also survived by his grandchildren, a brother and many nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, at Family Worship Center Church, 6020 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, followed by a service at 5 p.m.