Obituary of Dr. Jack R. Durst

On September 1, 2023, Jack passed away at home in Champlin, MN, at the age of 97. He was born in Stow, OH on June 22, 1926, and finished high school in 1942 at the age of 16. Jack’s college career at Ohio University was put on hold to enlist in the Army during WWII. He served in Belgium, achieved the rank of supply sergeant and was honorably discharged in June 1944. Jack later earned his master’s degree at Ohio State and a doctorate in biochemistry at Purdue in 195. He then took a job at Pillsbury in research and development. After a storied career, including the development of space food for NASA’s first manned flights and 14 patents, he retired in 1986. Jack enjoyed family time at their home on the Mississippi and traveling with his wife, Ann. 

He is preceded in death by parents, Rodney and Beatrice; brothers, Richard and William; first wife, Miriam; second wife, Ann; and two sons, David Leslie and David George. 

He is survived by son, Mark; daughters, Karen and Dorothy; grandchildren, Jason, Sarah, Amani, Laura, Jonathan and Naseem; six great-grandchildren; and longtime companion, Marianne Thielen. 

A service will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 11am with visitation 1 hour prior at First Congregational Church, 1923 3rd Ave, Anoka, MN followed. A private interment will follow.