Duane John LeTourneau was former member of the US Army Air Force. At the University of Idaho, Duane served as a professor of biochemistry, advisor and committee member for M.S. and Ph.D. students, and acting and assistant department head. He taught undergraduate and graduate students and was an advisor to many. He was known as "Doc" to his students and members of FarmHouse Fraternity and received the UI Outstanding Faculty Award. He retired from the university as Faculty Secretary in December 1991.

As a plant biologist, Duane conducted extensive research projects, and many of his works were published. Duane completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the USDA Research Laboratory in Peoria, Ill., and was a visiting professor at the University of Sheffield in Sheffield, England, and a visiting scientist at the National Research Council in Saskatoon, Canada. Duane was a member of Danforth Associates and many other professional and honorary organizations.

He was a driving force in the renovation of the original Moscow High School building and development of the 1912 Center, now used for community events. Duane served on the Board of Trustees of Gritman Memorial Hospital for 40 years and the Duane LeTourneau Healing Garden was installed outside the Main Street entrance to Gritman in gratitude for his contributions. He served on the Idaho State Historical Society Board of Trustees, Idaho Academy of Science, UI Arboretum Associates, Latah County Historical Society Board, Moscow Chamber of Commerce, Gritman Hospital, Friendly Neighbors Senior Citizens, the University of Idaho Retirees Association and a number of other organizations. He held service positions and received awards in Lions Club locally and Lions Club International.