HSOP Mourns Sudden Loss of Dr. Tom Riley
e are very sorry to have to report that one of our long time faculty members and former acting Dean, Dr. Tom Riley died of an apparent pulmonary embolism on April 13th. His
untimely passing seemed especially sad since his retire-ment party was in the planning stages and scheduled for May 13th. The HSOP faculty and staff have been in a virtual state of shock since receiving this tragic news.
Dr. Riley's family, friends and HSOP family attended a service celebrating his life at the Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika on April 16th. If you would like to relay your condolences to the Riley family, you can send correspondence to the following address: 902 Boddie Lane, Auburn, AL 36830. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that anyone wishing to make a donation should contact the American Cancer Society Memorial Program (1-800-ACS-2345) or a charity of their choice.
Dr. Riley's students have always been dear to his heart. His passing has brought out the endearment his students held for him. Very quickly, they began pursuing a way to remember their teacher. Funds are being raised for several metal picnic tables with umbrellas to put on the 2nd story outdoor breezeway between the old and the new building in his honor. A granite marker remembering Dr. Riley has also been donated by a P2 student and her family. So far donations have come from HSOP students, faculty and staff. Anyone who would like to donate to this project is welcome to do so. Just contact Brinda Lisano at 334-844-8356 or send mail to 217 Walker Building, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, AL 36849. The student's say if they have excess monies left from the project they will donate it to the American Heart Association in Dr. Riley's name.
On graduation day, just past, one of Dr. Riley's former students thanked him and remembered him in the graduation program as a "great mentor." His colleagues will remember him as a great friend they had hoped to spend more time with. He will be missed by all at HSOP.