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Patricia Metcalf Obituary
Maj. Patricia Ann Metcalf, PhD., succumbed to cancer while in the hospital. At her side were her loving sister, Gloria Armstrong, and ardent husband, Danny Metcalf.
Patti was 69. The cause was an aggressive anaplastic cancer of the thyroid that was diagnosed weeks earlier and resulted in hospitalization prior to the Christmas holiday.
Patricia was born in La Porte County Hospital to James and Barbara Murray in 1953, and graduated from La Porte High School in 1971.
After receiving BS and MS degrees in chemistry from Indiana University and Purdue University, respectively, Patricia earned a doctorate from Purdue University.
Dr. Metcalf worked for 30 years as an accomplished research scientist in the Material Preparation Lab at Purdue University.
Patricia served 22 years in the Indiana National Guard, serving as chemical officer and retiring as a major. After entering retirement, Patti continued her service as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
Patricia was preceded in death by her brothers, Wayne and Curtis Murray; and her father, James R. Murray. She is survived by her husband, Danny Metcalf of Battle Ground, Indiana; son, Chad Metcalf of Madison, Wisconsin; daughter, Beth Swetnam of Fishers, Indiana; mother, Barbara Murray; siblings, Gloria Armstrong of La Porte, Indiana, and Bruce Murray of Plano, Texas; grandchildren, Alex, Lillian and Vivian; and closest friends, Becky and Larry Studebaker of Greenfield, Indiana.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at Saint Paul's Church, 1000 Michigan Ave., La Porte, Indiana.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Patricia Metcalf
4 Entries
KATHY WEATHERBEE HARTKE
May 20, 2023
Danny my deepest sympathy to you and your family upon the loss of your wife Patricia.
Jozef Spalek, Zbig Kakol, Andrzej Kozlowski
May 18, 2023
Pattie's death is a great loss not only for her family, friends, but also for her friends from the "Polish gang" visiting Purdue University. Our stay at Purdue wouldn't be so fruitful and so nice without Pattie's help and friendship. Thank you Patti! We miss you!
Jozef Spalek, Zbig Kakol, Andrzej Kozlowski
Steve Durbin
May 16, 2023
I first met Patty Metcalfe as a new faculty member at Purdue Physics around 1986. She was the acknowledged master of the crystal growth facility, and she taught me many tricks of the trade that helped with my research career. I consulted with her over the years, borrowing equipment or crystals, and she was always a pleasure to be with. At one point she even let me hire her daughter Beth when I needed a baby sitter for my young children. Very sorry about losing her so unexpectedly. I want to let her family know that she meant a lot to her colleagues, both professionally and personally.
Gordon Skiles
May 15, 2023
My condolences to the Family of Patricia Metcalf. I worked along side Patty while working Materials Engineering. She was a wonderful person. Her passing brought back many pleasant memories.
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