Jean Deupree, PhD, a retired professor of pharmacology and experimental neuroscience, died June 10, in Bellevue, Nebraska. She was 81.
Dr. Deupree retired from UNMC in 2007 after 34 years as a teacher and researcher.
A native of Washington, D.C., Dr. Deupree earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Ferris University and her PhD in biochemistry from Michigan State University in 1970. She joined UNMC as an assistant professor in August 1972 after serving a two-year post-doctoral stint at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Her research at UNMC included a variety of areas of pharmacology, including how neurotransmitters work, how anti-epilepsy drugs work and the impact of drug therapy on the sympathetic nervous system.
For 15 years, she also directed a UNMC pharmacology course for physician assistant and clinical perfusion students and helped educate more than 5,000 medical and pharmacy students.
Upon retirement, she reflected on her time at UNMC saying: “There is a real strong sense of collaboration among the faculty. It’s been great to be a part of that.”
Visitation will take place Tuesday, June 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bethany Funeral Home, 8201 Harrison St. in LaVista.
Services will be Wednesday, June 19, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 200 E. 6th St. in Papillion. Burial will take place later at Highland View Cemetery in Big Rapids, Michigan.
Read Dr. Deupree’s obituary at this link.
Her care manager wrote this feature titled, “Jean Deupree – A Story of Inspiration.”
Without question, Jean Deupree was an exceptional investigator and experimentalist. She was a principal driver of educational opportunities in pharmacology through the UNMC system. She was a glue amongst others in establishing collaborations throughout our department and proved pivotal in moving the department forward to become a solid educational and research program for decades. Just at a loss for words of appreciation and goodwill.
I knew Jean well and am saddened by her passing. She was a devoted member of the Pharmacology Department and committed to a quality education for students. We interacted several times in both education and research arenas. A life well lived…
Jean was one of my mentors when I first began teaching at UNMC. Great student advocate with great passion for what she did. A wonderful person to work with, leaving a positive impression on all who interacted with her. A well deserved rest.
I was very lucky to have been part of a collaboration with Jean in a project that combined pharmacology with genetics. It was a joy to work with her.