Neurophysiologist Harry Patton, chair of the UW Department of Physiology and Biophysics from 1966 to 1983, died from cancer May 26. He was 84.
Patton received an M.D. and Ph.D. at Yale University in 1946 and joined the UW shortly thereafter. He was one of the first members of the department and was appointed by founding chair T.C. Ruch. Patton investigated visceral nerves and was one of the first researchers to make intracellular studies of spinal neurons. He was also an enthusiastic teacher and a prolific writer. From 1946 to 1989 he was an editor and major contributor to textbooks on physiology and neurology.
When outside of the laboratory, Patton enjoyed sailing the British Columbia Inland Passage, playing the guitar, and building furniture and musical instruments in his carpentry shop. He is survived by his wife Barbara and two daughters Ann and Betsy. A memorial service is scheduled Saturday, June 8 at 4 p.m. at the University Unitarian Church in Seattle.
June 7, 2002