Minnesota Law Mourns the Passing of Dave Durenberger ‘59, Three Term U.S. Senator

Dave Durenberger ‘59, who served 16 years in the U.S. Senate, has died at the age of 88.

Born in St. Cloud, Minnesota,  In 1955, Durenberger graduated from St. John's University in Collegeville. The top cadet in his ROTC class, he became a lieutenant in the Army Counter-Intelligence Corps, and later a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. He enrolled at Minnesota Law, and graduated in 1959, practicing corporate law.

Durenberger went into politics early in his career, and served as executive secretary to Gov. Harold LeVander. He also worked for Gov. Elmer L. Andersen. In  1978, he won the U.S. Senate seat formerly occupied by Hubert Humphrey.  

Durenberger held his Senate seat for three terms.  As a senator, he advocated for he pushed proposals to expand Medicare benefits, protect rights for disabled people, including the Americans With Disabilities Act, and to promote gender equity.

"Senator Dave Durenberger was a true public servant," U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who holds Durenberger's old seat, said in a statement.

Related:

• Longtime Republican U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger dies at 88 (Star Tribune)
• Former U.S. Sen. David Durenberger of Minnesota dies at 88 (NPR)