Purdue News

August 22, 2001 Varro E. Tyler, former executive vice president, dies at 74 WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Varro E. Tyler, former dean and executive vice president for academic affairs at Purdue University and an internationally recognized authority on herbal medicine, died at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Lafayette at 6:55 a.m. Wednesday (8/22). He was 74 years of age. Tyler was an internationally recognized expert on herbal medicine, known for his extensive studies and educational efforts in the field. He was the author of more than 270 publications, including three popular books, "Hoosier Home Remedies," "The Honest Herbal" and "Herbs of Choice," a book written for health care professionals. He frequently appeared on TV and radio talk shows and was quoted extensively by the press. In recent years, he wrote a monthly column on herbal remedies for Prevention Magazine. He joined the faculty in Purdue's School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences in 1966 and served as the school's dean from 1966 to 1979. He was promoted to dean of the School of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Sciences in 1979, and served in that capacity until 1986. After 20 years as dean, Tyler was named to the position of executive vice president for academic affairs of the Purdue system. He served in that capacity until 1991, when he rejoined the School of Pharmacy as the Lilly Distinguished Professor of Pharmacognosy. He retired from Purdue in December 1996. Born in Auburn, Neb., Tyler studied pharmacy at the University of Nebraska, where he graduated with distinction. He received his master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Connecticut, and taught at the University of Nebraska and the University of Washington in Seattle before joining the Purdue faculty. Tyler served as the first president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, as well as president of the American Association of the Colleges of Pharmacy, the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education and the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy. He was active in a number of professional organizations and was elected a fellow of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Research and Science, the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was an honorary member of the American Society of Pharmacognosy and the Society for Medicinal Plant Research. Active in community affairs, Tyler served as president of Lafayette Home Hospital and as chairman of the board of North Central Health Services Inc. He also served as director of the Greater Lafayette Community Foundation and was a member of Rotary. A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Saturday (8/25) in Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Lafayette. Memorials may be made to the Purdue School of Pharmacy or Covenant Presbyterian Church, 211 Knox Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47906. Soller-Baker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Writer: Susan Gaidos, (765) 494-2081; sgaidos@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page