Community mourns passing of SJU alumnus
Dave Durenberger, SJU alumnus, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Durenberger was the longest-serving Republican U.S. state senator in Minnesotan history.
SJU alumnus and former Minnesota Senator Dave Durenberger passed away on Jan. 31 at his home in St. Paul. Durenberger graduated from SJU in 1955 before serving as Minnesota’s senator on the U.S. Senate from 1978-1995, becoming the longest-serving Republican U.S. state senator in state history.
Durenberger grew up in Collegeville as the son of former SJU Athletic Director and 1928 SJU alumnus George Durenberger, who held the role from 1931-1972. Durenberger reflected on his time as Johnnie and as a senator at an event in August of last year.
“In this grand democracy, government is not a nuisance, not an evil force,” he said. “People elect public servants. I learned from my family, from my education at St. John’s and in all the years since then, the shared value of civic engagement.”
Durenberger remained engaged with St. John’s after graduating, serving on the St. John’s University Board of Regents from 1987 to 1996 and delivering the 1983 St. John’s Commencement Address. He received the Alumni Achievement Award from SJU in 1985 and on Jan. 27 received the President’s Medal. This is the highest honor given out by SJU.
“Today our country lost a patriotic American, Minnesota lost a skilled statesman and St. John’s lost a great Johnnie,” CSB+SJU President Brian Bruess said in a press release about Durenberger’s death.