Dave (David) Lee Catron was born on June 22, 1936, in Butler, Missouri to parents McKinley and Martha Catron. Growing up in Missouri, Catron chose to pursue Bachelor (1958) and Master (1959) of Arts degrees from Western Colorado University. Following his graduation, Catron moved to Kansas where he served as Director of Bands for Santana Schools from 1959-1962, Hugoton Schools from 1962-1967, and Lawrence High School from 1967-1970. In 1970, Catron... and his first wife Marlene relocated to East Lansing, Michigan, where Catron served as Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Michigan State University until 1974. Returning to Kansas in 1974, Catron became a faculty member at Wichita State University, a position he held until 1979. Once again returning to Michigan State, Catron, his second wife Nancy, and their children moved back to Michigan where Catron served as Associate Professor and Associate Director of Bands, as well as Director of the Spartan Marching Band from 1979-1988. In addition to his work with the Spartan Marching Band, Catron worked with the Michigan State Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, as well as held the position of Acting Director of Bands during the 1983-1984 academic year. Stepping back from his Associate Director of Bands position in 1988, Catron was appointed Associate Director of the School of Music and Head of Undergraduate Music Advising and Curriculum, a role he held until his retirement from Michigan State University in 2002. Aside from his work as Director of various bands, Catron frequently appeared as a guest conductor throughout the United States and also served as a clinician and band adjudicator.