With heavy hearts, the family announces the passing of Gordon L. Flynn, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Gordon departed peacefully on December 9, leaving behind a legacy of love, companionship, and kindness that endures in the hearts of all who knew him.
Gordon was born on August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the second son of Harry and Jeanette Flynn. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; his brother, George Flynn, and family; his sister-in-law, Terri Flynn, and family; his three children — Rick Flynn (Pam Wesley), Allen Flynn (Sue Flynn), and Diane Tooman; his granddaughter, Emma Flynn-Kopko (John Kopko); his grandson, Nicholas Flynn; his step-granddaughters, Ava and Addison Scigliano; and his great-grandson, Samuel Kopko.
Gordon was a devoted college professor and pharmaceutical scientist. He earned degrees from Rutgers University (BS Pharmacy) and the University of Wisconsin (PhD). He met his future wife, Beverly Ann Marshall, in 1960 at Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago. They reconnected later that year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and were married on June 4, 1961. Northern Michigan held a special place in their hearts and became a beloved destination for anniversaries and family gatherings, including their 50th wedding anniversary celebrated on Mackinac Island in 2011.
Early in his career, Gordon worked for seven years at The Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he formed lifelong professional and personal relationships. In 1972, he joined the faculty of the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, where he spent 29 years conducting influential research in topical drug delivery, teaching, and mentoring students, and building his family's life in Ann Arbor.
In 1988-89, Gordon and Beverly spent a year in California while he took on a leadership role with a startup pharmaceutical company. Together they filled their new home with the same love and warmth they shared throughout their lives.
A prolific scientist, Gordon published extensively on the chemical properties of drugs and topical drug delivery. He received numerous honors, including the 1974 Ebert Prize of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Distinguished Alumni Awards from both Rutgers University and the University of Wisconsin. Over the course of his career, he published approximately 180 research manuscripts and book chapters and held more than ten U.S. patents. At Michigan, he taught hundreds of students and mentored more than 45 doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists. He cherished teaching and took great joy in guiding students in their academic pursuits.
In 2001, Gordon was named Professor Emeritus of Pharmaceutical Sciences by the University of Michigan Regents. He completed his career capstone project with the publication of Physical and Biophysical Foundations of Pharmacy Practice: Issues in Drug Delivery, a textbook donated to the University of Michigan for use by students and researchers. Scholarships in the names of Gordon and Beverly Flynn have been established at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan.
Outside of his professional work, Gordon was an enthusiastic supporter of University of Michigan sports and a passionate traveler. He cherished time spent with family and friends at their Charlevoix, Michigan condominium, enjoying sunsets over the lakes, watching boats pass by, and hosting loved ones. Summers during the 1970s and 80s were filled with family road trips across the country, and Christmases in the Flynn home were marked by cherished traditions, homemade treats, and warm celebrations shared with those he loved most.
Throughout his life, Gordon exemplified devotion to family and generosity of spirit. His presence was a source of comfort and strength, marked by gentle wisdom and unwavering kindness. To Beverly, he was not only a devoted husband but also her closest friend and partner through all of life's joys and challenges.
In keeping with Gordon's wishes, a private family service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Gordon's memory are invited to make a memorial contribution to the Gordon & Beverly Flynn Scholarship Fund at the University of Michigan. Donations may be made online at donate.umich.edu/q4mxy.
If you prefer to donate by check, you may send your gift to:
University of Michigan
Gift & Records Administration
3003 S. State Street, Suite 8000
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1288
Checks may be made payable to: The Regents of the University of Michigan as a memorial gift in the name of Gordon and Beverly Flynn. Memo/Note line reference: Gordon & Beverly Flynn Scholarship Fund (572237).
Gordon was born on August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the second son of Harry and Jeanette Flynn. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; his brother, George Flynn, and family; his sister-in-law, Terri Flynn, and family; his three children — Rick Flynn (Pam Wesley), Allen Flynn (Sue Flynn), and Diane Tooman; his granddaughter, Emma Flynn-Kopko (John Kopko); his grandson, Nicholas Flynn; his step-granddaughters, Ava and Addison Scigliano; and his great-grandson, Samuel Kopko.
Gordon was a devoted college professor and pharmaceutical scientist. He earned degrees from Rutgers University (BS Pharmacy) and the University of Wisconsin (PhD). He met his future wife, Beverly Ann Marshall, in 1960 at Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago. They reconnected later that year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and were married on June 4, 1961. Northern Michigan held a special place in their hearts and became a beloved destination for anniversaries and family gatherings, including their 50th wedding anniversary celebrated on Mackinac Island in 2011.
Early in his career, Gordon worked for seven years at The Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he formed lifelong professional and personal relationships. In 1972, he joined the faculty of the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, where he spent 29 years conducting influential research in topical drug delivery, teaching, and mentoring students, and building his family's life in Ann Arbor.
In 1988-89, Gordon and Beverly spent a year in California while he took on a leadership role with a startup pharmaceutical company. Together they filled their new home with the same love and warmth they shared throughout their lives.
A prolific scientist, Gordon published extensively on the chemical properties of drugs and topical drug delivery. He received numerous honors, including the 1974 Ebert Prize of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Distinguished Alumni Awards from both Rutgers University and the University of Wisconsin. Over the course of his career, he published approximately 180 research manuscripts and book chapters and held more than ten U.S. patents. At Michigan, he taught hundreds of students and mentored more than 45 doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists. He cherished teaching and took great joy in guiding students in their academic pursuits.
In 2001, Gordon was named Professor Emeritus of Pharmaceutical Sciences by the University of Michigan Regents. He completed his career capstone project with the publication of Physical and Biophysical Foundations of Pharmacy Practice: Issues in Drug Delivery, a textbook donated to the University of Michigan for use by students and researchers. Scholarships in the names of Gordon and Beverly Flynn have been established at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan.
Outside of his professional work, Gordon was an enthusiastic supporter of University of Michigan sports and a passionate traveler. He cherished time spent with family and friends at their Charlevoix, Michigan condominium, enjoying sunsets over the lakes, watching boats pass by, and hosting loved ones. Summers during the 1970s and 80s were filled with family road trips across the country, and Christmases in the Flynn home were marked by cherished traditions, homemade treats, and warm celebrations shared with those he loved most.
Throughout his life, Gordon exemplified devotion to family and generosity of spirit. His presence was a source of comfort and strength, marked by gentle wisdom and unwavering kindness. To Beverly, he was not only a devoted husband but also her closest friend and partner through all of life's joys and challenges.
In keeping with Gordon's wishes, a private family service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Gordon's memory are invited to make a memorial contribution to the Gordon & Beverly Flynn Scholarship Fund at the University of Michigan. Donations may be made online at donate.umich.edu/q4mxy.
If you prefer to donate by check, you may send your gift to:
University of Michigan
Gift & Records Administration
3003 S. State Street, Suite 8000
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1288
Checks may be made payable to: The Regents of the University of Michigan as a memorial gift in the name of Gordon and Beverly Flynn. Memo/Note line reference: Gordon & Beverly Flynn Scholarship Fund (572237).
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