Donald Burnette

The Marine Biological Laboratory is saddened to share the passing of Donald “Don” Walker Burnette, a longtime member of the MBL community, who died on August 1, 2026. 

Don Burnette was a lab manager at the MBL Ecosystems Center from 1999 to 2009. He worked to keep labs in good running order and oversaw general use equipment. He also went far beyond this role and used his skills as a former biology teacher to mentor new students and research assistants in good lab techniques and on safety. He was a valued member of the Ecosystems Center for a decade and his work was an important contribution to the center’s scientific output.

We extend our condolences to Don Burnette’s family, friends, colleagues, and the many students and researchers whose lives he touched throughout his time at the MBL. The MBL flag will be lowered in his memory.

A full obituary has been published by the Enterprise and is available here.