Peter Gwilt, Ph.D., “an expert in pharmacokinetics, was part of the soul of the College of Pharmacy,” his friend, Jonathan Vennerstrom, Ph.D., said.
Dr. Gwilt, a former longtime pharmacy faculty member, died July 27. He was 67.
Services
Visitation is today from 5-7 p.m. at Westlawn Hillcrest Funeral Home, with a funeral Friday at 10 a.m. at Harvest Community Church, 3903 Cuming St. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, at 11711 Arbor St., No. 110, Omaha, NE 68144.
Jasmine Davda, Ph.D., now associate director of clinical pharmacology at Pfizer, was Dr. Gwilt’s last graduate student at UNMC, graduating in 2007. When contacted, she gave permission to share what she had posted on Dr. Gwilt’s online guestbook:
“My heart broke when I heard of Dr. Gwilt’s passing,” she said. “A mentor, a father figure, a great teacher, a beloved friend, he was all of those to me. His kindness, his intellect, and his sense of humor touched and inspired the lives of many students, including mine.”
Said Timothy McGuire, Pharm.D., associate professor of pharmacy practice: “A more humble and gentle soul would be hard to find.”
Elaine Payne, a longtime fixture in the College of Pharmacy, remembers Dr. Gwilt as a joy to work with and called him an “English gentleman.”
Dennis Robinson, Ph.D., emeritus professor and chair of pharmaceutical sciences, and Dr. Gwilt’s chair for most of the 18 years they worked together, agreed. “Peter Gwilt personified the word ‘gentleman,'” Dr. Robinson said.
What was it like to work with him? Dr. Vennerstrom can still hear Dr. Gwilt whistling a favorite hymn as he made his way down the hallway to the “Pharm Sci” coffee pot.
Payne loved swapping stories with him about their respective dogs.
“Peter was a true friend and teaching colleague. He possessed the unique ability to put things in perspective with his wit and sense of humor,” Clarence Ueda, Pharm.D., Ph.D., dean emeritus of the College of Pharmacy, and his wife, Judy, wrote in the online guestbook.
Dr. Gwilt is survived by his wife, Carol, four children and three grandchildren.
At UNMC, Dr. Gwilt served on the Faculty Senate and chaired the Honorary Degrees & Award Committee.
His research involved clinical, animal, and theoretical studies on the disposition and activity of anticancer drugs. He taught both professional and graduate students.
“His gentle manner, sharp wit, and impish grin endeared him to students and faculty alike,” Dr. Vennerstrom said.
Though he hadn’t been on faculty in recent years, his name remained familiar at the college through the Peter Gwilt Pharmaceutical Sciences Travelship.
“A truly valued dear friend, who was greatly respected by all who knew him,” Dr. Robinson said.
I have fond memories working with Peter while on Faculty Senate. I always learned something from him about what it meant to be a faculty member at UNMC. My condolences to his family.
Dr. Gwilt was a true gentle sole. I was fortunate to be one of his students and will have forever fond memories of impact he made on my professional career. RIP.
Tom Peddicord – 94