GUNTHER DENNERT, PhD
October 7, 1939 – June 5, 2016

Gunther Dennert passed away peacefully at home in South Pasadena, California on June 5, 2016. He is survived by his beloved wife Eileen, son Lars Dennert (Cecilia), daughters Ingrid Dennert and Emily Wantroba (Marcus), grandsons Max and Sven Dennert, and granddaughter Kaiya Wantroba.

Born and raised in Germany, he followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps by devoting his life to science. He received his doctorate in 1967 from the University of Köln. In 1974 he became a research professor at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California. In 1984 he joined the University of Southern California and was named chair of the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology in 1997. He retired in 2007 as Emeritus Professor, Keck School of Medicine of USC. Over his 40 year career he authored more than 150 publications in high-impact peer reviewed journals. He was a pioneer in cell-mediated immunity research, being the first to show distinct classes of T cells relating to immune function and establishing permanent T cell lines in vitro. Outside the lab his greatest passion was spending time in nature with Eileen: traveling the world, diving, hiking/trekking, skiing, fishing and horseback riding. He lived life to the fullest, nurturing his lifelong wonder of the natural world and sharing his wisdom with us. As a husband, father, scientist and academician he was loved and admired by all. Gunther will forever have a place in our hearts and minds.