Patrick William Corrigan, Psy.D., age 69, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2026, at his home in Glenview, Illinois. Pat grew up in Evanston with his loving parents, Eileen and Lloyd, and brother Mike. He earned a Psy.D. in Psychology and worked at the University of Chicago and the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). While at IIT he earned the title of Distinguished Professor of Psychology. Pat was the world expert on stigma in mental health. The United States Congress, the White House, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and dozens of universities called on him to provide his expertise. Stanford University lists him in the top 2% most cited scientists in the world. His work helped thousands of seriously mentally ill individuals receive better and more effective healthcare. Pat served the poor and suffering in a way few individuals ever will.
However, Pat was most proud of his family: his wife, Georgeen, son Abraham, his daughter Elizabeth, and his grandchildren, Jack, Clara, and Nathaniel. When a colleague would sit down with him in his office at IIT to discuss something like a multi-million dollar grant, he would begin by showing pictures of his grandchildren. Pat deeply admired his wife, a Public Defender for three decades. He gave her a watch for her retirement with the custom inscription: "Justice for all." Pat was an extraordinary mentor to countless Ph.D. students, his children, and his son-in-law. His contributions to society and his family will live on for a very long time.
Memorial Service, Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 12:00 noon, at North Shore Unitarian Church, 2100 Half Day Rd., Bannockburn, IL 60015.
Funeral info: 847.673.6111 or habenfuneral.com to leave a condolence message.
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Recent Activity

January 19, 2026

Amir Tal posted to the memorial.

January 16, 2026

Robert Beedle posted to the memorial.

January 16, 2026

Arlen Moller posted to the memorial.

8 Entries

Amir Tal

January 19, 2026

Dear family, I extend my deepest condolences for your loss. I had the distinct privilege of knowing Pat. He was exceptionally gracious in mentoring me, and together we published my first peer-reviewed article. I was fortunate to meet him during one of his visits to Israel. May he rest in peace.

Robert Beedle

January 16, 2026

Pat was my Godfather, and I am so extremely fortunate to have had him as a guide and mentor throughout my life. It's not like Pat was omnipresent: he wasn't the sort of Godparent who would call you on your birthday or be heavy handed with his influence. But honestly, he played a such critical role in several important junctures in my life- without a doubt he is why and how I became a clinical psychologist serving marginalized individuals, and am now training future psychologists to carry on The Work in his spirit.

When I think about the specific influence Pat had on my development, I have to mention radical honesty and candor, maintaining a clear focus on justice and human dignity as a motivator, and of course the use of humor as a powerful act of love that can connect us through the pain and struggle. I love to think of him with with his bratty smile, feet on his desk in his office at IIT, handing out life lessons with a decent touch of bravado- but in this mode he was always trying to model his spirit of determination and empowerment, to try and motivate others to pursue their dreams and accomplish their goals.

Pat planted, tended, and sprouted so many seeds in this world. I'm having such a hard time comprehending that he is gone now because of how important and influential he was. I guess overall I really hope he can Rest In Peace, and am now realizing it's the job is for all of us to carry on his work and the legacy. RIP Pat. Thank you for everything that you did. And Thank You for being such an amazing Godfather.

Arlen Moller

January 16, 2026

Pat was a favorite friend and colleague of mine in the Psych Dept at Illinois Tech for the last 13 years. He was an inspiration on both professional and personal levels and will be dearly missed.

Prerak Mehta

January 15, 2026

Pat-

I am so devistated to hear the news of your passing. You were the first person I saw when I joined the program at Illinois Tech and we have kept in contact ever since. You were a great mentor, friend and colleague. I know you are smiling down on us and guiding us to do right for those we serve. Thank you for always being there for me.

Regards,
Rak

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nikhila panyam

January 14, 2026

My dear Pat, you have no idea how much love i have for you. I owe my career to you. You have taught me things i will remember for the rest of my life but nothing will ever come close to the sound of your laugh when i would say something dumb. You believed in me when no one else did, even in moments when i didnt believe in myself. You saw potential in me and i promise that i will live up to it. You saw me as a person. You helped me get through some diabolical times. you made my extremes feel human. working with you felt like i didn't need to take my seroquel anymore. i know you will be with me when i get my phd. thank you for being the first person to call me dr panyam. i will make you so proud of me. you will always be a part of me. love u pat. fyi, im still holding you up to the lunch we were supposed to have. i miss you. i will make you so very proud. thank you for everything.

Katherine Ponte

January 14, 2026

Professor Corrigan was not only a great friend to the mental illness community. He was one of us. He led with grace and courage and academic might. He used his intellect to combat stigma and made this world a better place for those of us living with serious mental illness. His legacy will continue to improve the experience of our community. Professor Corrigan was also a great supporter to me. As I slowly emerged from my battles with severe bipolar with psychosis, he was there to guide and inspire me. I learned a lot from his work and his example, most importantly kindness and compassion like that which he showed to me. This is a tremendous loss to our community, but he will live on in the hearts of those he touched directly and in his valuable work. <3 <3

Dennis Beedle

January 14, 2026

Pat and I were college roommates for 2 years as Creighton. It was definitely an odd couple situation for both of us. Pat used his personal experience and struggle to help countless individuals struggling with the stigma of major mental illness. His research was groundbreaking and influential, major universities do not grant the rank of Distinguished Professor casually. He was a mentor to my son who is now actively engaged in service to underserved individuals and training of students in a community mental health center. Pat and I double dated with our eventual wives Peg and Georgeen as undergraduates. His parents, children and family were a delight to know and be with, condolences from Peg and me to them. It was a special time in our lives. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all of us fortunate to have shared time with him.

Bruce Sewick

January 14, 2026

Pat had a profound affect on me and my career. He was an early mentor in the field of peer support and was one of the trainers in a curriculum the state was promoting. His teaching (both content and as a role model) helped me begin my academic career in the behavioral health field. He and his team were annual speakers in my class presenting his HOP (Honest Open and Proud). He was humble, compassionate and an incredible role model for people with lived experience. I was delighted to reconnect with him after 20 years and was fortunate to record his last lecture (with his permission). His influence in the recovery field will live on forever! Bruce Sewick, Project Coordinator CRSS Grant at COD

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