Thomas Floyd Patton
Tom Patton, President Emeritus, St. Louis College of Pharmacy (now University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy), died March 29th, 2023. He is survived by his wife Pam, son Will, stepdaughter Katie Floro, and brother Robert Patton (Clarion, PA). He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Alberta Patton (McKeesport, PA) and his sister Joanne Barber (Charleroi, PA).
Tom was born in McKeesport, PA on August 14, 1948. He attended and was a proud three time graduate of the University of Wisconsin- Madison (BS, MS, Ph.D.). He started his career at the University of Kansas as Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacy Practice rising to full professor, and also served the University for several years as Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, Graduate Studies and Public Service.
He left KU in 1986 to commence a career in R&D in the pharmaceutical industry. In 8 years, he held the increasing positions of Associate Director, Director, Senior Director, Executive Director and his last position was Vice President of Pharmaceutical R&D at DuPont-Merck Pharmaceutical Company.
In 1994 Tom moved to St. Louis and became president of St. Louis College of Pharmacy. He held that position for 16 years, and retired as President Emeritus.
He was widely published and lectured in the U.S., Europe, Japan and Australia, serving a time as visiting professor at Victorian College of Pharmacy in Melbourne, Australia. He was a consultant to numerous pharmaceutical companies and was active in many scientific and professional organizations. He was a founder of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) and served a term as its president. He also served on the board of two public companies: Jones Pharma and D&K Healthcare Resources.
He was elected a Fellow of AAPS, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He was inducted into the McKeesport High School Hall of Fame and was awarded a University Citation by UW- Madison for his contributions to research and the pharmaceutical sciences.
Those wishing to remember him can do so by contributing to the Patton Endowed Scholarship Funds in the School of Pharmacy c/o either the University of Wisconsin Foundation or the Kansas University Endowment Association.
The family would like to sincerely thank Mercy Hospice for their wonderful care.
There will be no services, but he has requested those who are so inclined to celebrate his life with a toast of Wild Turkey 101 (on-the-rocks)!
Lynn and I are sorry for your loss. Tom was a great man who always had a quick joke ready. His guidance through pharmacy school (for me) and close friendship with his old college buddy (Bill) will carry on forever. God Bless!