Suter, Daniel B. (1921-2006)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2007 Jan 15 p. 12

Birth date: 1921

text of obituary:

Veteran EMU biology professor dies at 86

Suter developed pre-med program

By Jim Bishop

Eastern Mennonite University

HARRISONBURG, Va. — Daniel B. Suter, professor emeritus of biology and developer of the pre-medical program at Eastern Mennonite University, died Dec. 24 at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. He was 86.

Suter joined the science department at EMU in 1948 and eventually became head of the biology department and pre-med adviser. He retired in 1985.

The Science Center, completed in 1967, was named after Suter "in recognition of his leadership in the development of the school's science/pre-medical program and his influence among students." During his tenure, EMU students had an acceptance rate of more than 85 percent into medical, dental and veterinary schools, well above the national average of 40 percent to 50 percent.

He was named "Doctor of the Year" in 1985 by the Mennonite Medical Association and the Mennonite Nurses Association.

The EMU board of trustees established the Daniel B. Suter Endowed Biology Chair in 1986 in honor of his distinguished teaching career and "contributions to academic excellence and the highest standards of personal and spiritual maturity."

Roman J. Miller was the first appointee to the Suter Chair.

"Through his excellence in teaching and carefulness in advising students, Suter created a legacy of influential pre-medical training," Miller said.

Suter was ordained a minister in Virginia Mennonite Conference in 1951 and served as pastor of Gospel Hill Mennonite church and later Weavers Mennonite Church in Rockingham County. He also served the broader church as a visiting minister and teacher. He spoke in many settings on the harmful effects of alcohol use and abuse and on "the biology of aging."

He served as secretary of Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions and as a board member of Mennonite Broadcasts Inc. and Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community.

Suter was a strong advocate of church music, promoting singing from the Harmonia Sacra, a songbook edited and first published by Joseph Funk of Singers Glen in 1832.

Suter was a graduate of Eastern Mennonite High School, Eastern Mennonite College, Bridgewater College, Vanderbilt University and the Medical College of Virginia, where he received a doctorate in neuro-anatomy in 1963.

EMY President Loren Swartzendruber noted that Suter was offered a faculty position at the University of Virginia at three times the salary EMU paid him. Suter felt compelled to return to EMU because "that's where the Lord wanted me to be."

He married Grace Fisher on June 23, 1941. She preceded him in death on Dec. 8, 2003. He is survived by two daughters, two sons, one sister, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was ehld Dec. 29 at Strite Auditorium of Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. Burial was at the Weavers Mennonite Church cemetery.