David Lagunoff Obituary

Lagunoff, David

age 88, died on August 3, 2020, in Lund, Sweden. In 1979 he moved to St. Louis University to chair the Pathology Department, a position he held for 20 years. He was preceded in death by his wife Susan Lagunoff and is survived by his children Rachel, Liza, and Michael Lagunoff.

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Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Aug. 30, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for David Lagunoff

9 Entries

Nancy Adams

August 21, 2023

If it were not for Susan and David, I would not be here now. What smart and lovely people they were. We miss them.

Howard Goldfine, Ph.D.

January 31, 2023

Dave, Phil Fireman and I shared an apartment for three years when we were students at UChicago. I was a grad student in biochemistry and Phil was in the same med school class as David. When we all graduated in 1957, David went to U. Washington, Phil to a residency at Philadelphia General Hospital, and I started a postdoc at NIH. David and I would meet at annual Federation meetings or when our NIH study sections met at the same time in D.C. When he and Susan moved to New York City, we would get together when I happened to be in the City, where I had grown up. David was a very special person. He had a wry sense of humor and great depth of knowledge both in science and in the world of the arts. I missed him when he move to Sweden and my wife and I had hoped to visit him there, but that was not to be. My best wishes to his son, daughters and grandchildren.

Todd Smith

March 27, 2021

I worked until Dr. Lagunoff at SLU Independent Histology Lab that he chaired. He was always willing to teach, listen and help if needed. He offered his beach house in Michigan to me and my family. Still one of my daughter´s favorite vacations. When I asked him about Mackinac island he said, " it´s nice if you like the smell of horse urine!" We laughed and we loved it there. He will be missed by many. Sorry for your loss.

Helen Wan

March 14, 2021

I worked for Dr. Lagunoff at his lab in University of Washington from 1971-79. He was the best boss I ever worked. Many many things, big and small, he was just an extraordinarily great person! We also met his wife, two daughters, and son many times. He had a such lovely family. I felt very proud to have chance working for him.

Stan Roodman

January 24, 2021

I was a Professor in Pathology the entire time David was Chairman. He was a extraordinary scientist with a wide grasp of so many fields able to be insightful with suggestions or critical as needed. He was a great chairman pushing for research in the Department and supporting graduate student fellowships that I recommended as head of the graduate program. It wasn’t easy getting the students we accepted through to their P.h D. but David was patient and understanding. He was good to me but not because I was Jewish also. He had a great reputation in the Medical School for getting things done and was appointed to plan a new research building next to the old medical school building. He finished the whole project but a few days before contracts were to be let, the President of the University cancelled this building. He was so angry that he resigned as Chairman .
In the early 80’s , I sent him a note saying we needed a 125K instrument in a brand new field and got a quick reply saying yes get it. He was always open to new ideas and added constantly to his technical toolbox.
I retired in September 1999 after 29 years at SLU. Also very sorry about the loss of your dear mother Susan.
Hope David’s lasts years in Sweden were good ones.
I saw his obit in the University of Washington Alumni magazine ( received by my partner a Resident there actually at the same time as David was there but she was in Family Medicine Dept) by chance.
We all should have such a productive life in science and raising a wonderful family- something to be very grateful for. Hope all his family is well and safe.
Respectfully, Stan Roodman
[email protected]
Santa Rosa, CA

Penelope Ann Jensen

December 20, 2020

I worked with Dr L in his Lab at the UW department of Pathology in the 70's. So fun.

Lawrence & Nancy Adams

August 30, 2020

Dear Liza,
My husband Larry and I were so sorry to hear that your Dad passed away. We had been corresponding to both David and Susan usually at Christmas time for many years until we got a message from our mutual British friend Kathleen Gray that Susan passed away. Susan and I and Larry worked together at Florissant Valley CC for many years. If I hadn't mentioned to her that I was just diagnosed with advanced Breast Cancer when I was 46, I wouldn't be here 32 years later. David arranged for me to get the best surgeon, hematologists, etc., at SLU hospital. In fact, I think David was the angel (or little Irish Elf) who had me awake from my surgery with a large embroidered Shamrock on my white hospital gown. Larry and I are from large Irish families full of nurses, but we never found out who the sweet culprit was. I know David was Jewish and I'm Catholic, but I do believe we will meet again in the hereafter. I will keep you, Rachel and Michael in my prayers. God bless you all.
Larry and Nancy from Florissant, Missouri

Thomas Westfall

August 30, 2020

I am so sorry to hear of David's passing. we were good friends and colleagues at Saint Louis University for over 20 years having arrived there at the same time in 1979. He was beloved by the medical students and was an inspirational teacher, scientist and leader.My condolences to his family, Tom Westfall,PhD

Scott Martin, MD

August 30, 2020

I am sorry to hear of David's passing. He was a mentor and friend, and I enjoyed working with him during his firsts two years at at SLU. My condolences to Rachel, Liza, and Michael.

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