Frederick L. Crane

Dr. Frederick Loring Crane PhD, MD (HON) 90, of Metamora, IL passed away Thursday, August 11, 2016.  Fred was born in Bernardston, MA to Gertrude (Stange) Crane and Frederick Turner Crane on December 3, 1925.

His childhood years were spent in Sterling, MA and Canon, GA. The family then moved to New York, NY. Fred graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in 1943. He attended the University of Michigan one semester before entering the armed services in WW II.  He was a Pfc in the 304th infantry serving as a scout observer. Returning to the University of Michigan after the war, he completed a PhD in Botany in 1953. Post doc work was completed at the University of Wisconsin Enzyme Institute, Madison 1957. While there he discovered Coenzyme Q10.  He was an assistant professor at the Enzyme Institute 1957-59 and at the University of Texas 1959-60. He became a professor in the Biology Department, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana until his retirement in 1994 as Professor Emeritus.

His passion for research took him around the world. He was a visiting professor at the University of Cordoba, Spain, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Wenner Gren Institute University of Stockholm, and the Australian National University. He was honored with the American Chemical Society Eli Lilly Award in Biological Chemistry, Fulbright Award, NSF Fellowship and NIH Career Award, the Silver Medal in Biochemistry, University of Bologna, and the Folkers Foundation Award.  He was a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition. He received an Honorary Doctor of Medicine Degree from the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm.

He was blessed with two long marriages; first to Helen (Eggerth) Crane in 1950 until her death in 1980. He married Marilyn (Williams) Crane in 1982 enjoying a loving marriage of 34 years. In addition to his wife Marilyn, he is survived by his brother Benjamin F. Crane, Brooklyn, NY., daughter Katherine C. Teske (James) Dayton, Ohio, daughter-in-law Sherry Crane, Eau Claire, WI, step daughter Lilli Davis (Walt) Metamora, IL; grandchildren: Brian Teske (Melissa), Eric Teske (Chris), Karin Teske, Kevin Crane (Stephanie) Ryan Crane (Meredith), Chelsea Crane, Melanie Davis; great grandchildren Jackson, Dane, and Griffin Teske. He was preceded in death by his sons Richard Turner Crane, Thomas Loring Crane, and daughter Eleanor Stange Crane.

In addition to his many achievements in science, Fred was devoted to his family.  He treasured time together to converse, celebrate, share, encourage, and explore.  His enthusiasm for life and learning was unbounded. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and colleagues.

Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until the time of the memorial service at 1:30 pm on Saturday, August 27th at Soller-Baker West Lafayette Chapel, 1184 Sagamore Parkway West.  Inurnment immediately following at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens.  Memorial contributions may be made to Purdue University. You may sign the guest book and leave memories at www.soller-baker.com.