Clarence Henry Suelter

Clarence Henry Suelter, 96, of East Lansing, Michigan, passed away on August 29, 2025. Born on December 15, 1928, in Lincoln, Kansas to Alfred Suelter and Esther (Kroening) Suelter, Clarence was the eldest of six children.

Clarence attended Kansas State University where he obtained a BS in Industrial Chemistry in 1951 and a MS in 1953 as well as a commission in the United States Air Force. He was called to active duty in 1954 and served two years at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. It was there that he met his beloved wife Loretta Dodge of Thornton, Iowa. They were married in August 1955. After his military service ended, he attended Iowa State University and completed the requirements for a PhD in Biochemistry in 1959. He spent two years at the University of Minnesota as a postdoctoral student before accepting a position as an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at Michigan State University, becoming a full Professor in 1968. In 1986 he was appointed as the Director of Undergraduate programs for the Department of Biochemistry and later the Director for the Division of Science and Mathematics Education, a post he held until his retirement in 1996. Among his many honors he was awarded the MSU Distinguished Faculty Award in 1990. In retirement, Clarence remained active with the Division of Science Education. He wrote a History of the Michigan State University College of Natural Science and a History of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology in commemoration of the Department’s fiftieth anniversary.

Clarence was highly regarded by his friends and colleagues, by his students and by all who knew him. His interests were many and varied. He was dedicated to his profession, to the advancement of science education and to all things Spartan! He was generous in all things, and a gentleman. His last gift was the donation of his brain to the Harvard University Brain Tissue Resource Center to assist in the understanding of brain disorders.

Clarence and Loretta were members of Martin Luther Chapel, where they worshiped for more than 50 years. He was a beloved resident of Burcham Hills Retirement Center where he and Loretta made their home in 2016.

Clarence is predeceased by his wife Loretta, his parents Alfred and Esther, brother Richard, his sister Lillian Stresser and brother-in-law Donald Stressor. He is survived by his children Jenifer Nelson (Carl), Leslie Suelter (Jerry Calderon), and Kevin Suelter; his grandchildren Stephanie Nelson, Emily Hartough (Brian), Sam Cohen-Suelter, and Jack Cohen-Suelter; three great-grandchildren Oliver Lindeman, Clara Hartough, and Maisie Hartough; his brothers Harold Suelter (Vonnie), Leonard Suelter (Meeke), and sister Marjorie Helmke (Scott); and many nieces and nephews.

In their final years of life, Clarence and Loretta were cared for by the capable and caring staff at Burcham Hills Retirement Center. The family wishes to extend special thanks to the Caregivers on the fourth floor, for their compassionate care of Clarence and Loretta. They will forever be our extended family.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 20, 2025, with visiting one hour prior at Martin Luther Chapel in East Lansing, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, 30500 Telegraph Rd. Ste 150, Bingham Farms, MI 48025-5819; or the Clarence Suelter Endowed Postdoctoral Fellowship (A5020680), College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, Room 103, East Lansing, MI 48824-9902.