Carlos David Navarrete

East Lansing - With great admiration, we celebrate the life of Dr. Carlos David Navarrete, a beloved family member, friend, and professor who passed away December 26, 2024.

Carlos was born and raised in La Puente, as the 6th of 9 children of Minister, Alfredo C. Navarrete and Manuela Parra Navarrete. His upbringing grounded him in the Christian faith and his family emphasized the value of continual learning. As a child, Carlos was fascinated with dinosaurs, prehistoric history and astronomy. In school he was identified as "Gifted" in both academics and the arts. As a young man, he learned to play the trumpet, piano, and saxophone in addition to singing. Frankly, Carlos could learn to do anything, and he did them all pretty well. Carlos took a short break from studies to become a successful hairdresser. Despite his success, his hunger to understand our origins and why humans do what we do tugged at his heart. He thrusted himself in higher education and became a devoted scholar, educator, and researcher, whose work shaped the lives of many students and colleagues. He was an Associate Professor of Social and Personality Psychology at Michigan State University and earned his PhD in Biological Anthropology from UCLA in 2004, following a Master's in Biological Anthropology from California State University. He lectured at UCLA, Harvard, and Michigan State Universities in addition to a wide array of speaking engagements worldwide. His deep care for those around him and his commitment to fostering a world of respect and equality were evident in his research. He explored the intersection of biology, culture, and human behavior, focusing on intergroup conflict, morality, and social dynamics. Carlos received many grants throughout his career to support his research, which was widely respected in the psychology and anthropology fields.

Carlos had a strong passion for teaching. During his tenure at Michigan State, he was known for bringing energy and clarity to his lectures and building an environment where students felt challenged and supported. Many students remember Carlos for his mentorship and his genuine care for their success. Carlos traveled the world to learn about new places and meet new people. His favorite countries were Costa Rica, where he performed extensive research, and Spain, the origins of his family crest.

No matter where he went, you couldn't find Carlos without his best friend and companion Pierre, his Yorkie, who passed away on May 17, 2024. Carlos deeply loved all his family and friends. He is survived by his mother Manuela Navarrete, and his siblings Josh, Andrew, Alfred, Ruth, Susana, Judy and Victor. He was very proud of his many nieces and nephews and cherished time spent with them. Carlos is also survived by his ex-wife Randi Navarrete with whom he remained amicable until his passing.

Carlos was fun-loving and known for his quick wit, unique sense of humor, and ability to make others laugh. He had the ability to find levity in any situation and brought genuine warmth and kindness to others.

Carlos' legacy of intellect, humor, and compassion will be remembered by all who knew him, whether as a colleague, mentor, friend, or family member. He made a lasting impact on the lives of those around him and will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held for Dr. Carlos David Navarrete at the MSU Alumni Memorial Chapel on Saturday April 26, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. 636 Auditorium Rd, East Lansing, MI