John Crane, an emeritus professor of biology and zoology, died on June 18, 2007. Crane earned his Ph.D for study in parasitology at the University of California, Davis and came to WSU in 1970 where he primarily taught large introductory biological science classes and parasitology. Over the years he estimated that he had taught 50,000 students. He was noted for his humor, ability to tell a good story, and willingness to give his opinion while being evenhanded.
In 1989, his peers recognized him with the President’s Faculty Excellence Award in Instruction (now the Sahlin Award). Although he retired in 2000, he continued to teach general biology through the Distance Degree Program.
“John was recognized as one of the outstanding teachers of the university,” said Gary Thorgaard, director of the School of Biological Sciences. Crane also advised for freshman seminar programs, the general biology program and for Delta Chi fraternity, among many others.
