Obituary of Edward Louis Platcow

Edward Louis Platcow

Sept. 9, 1926 – March 5, 2024

On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Edward Louis Platcow of Lake Bluff, Illinois passed away in hospice care at the age of 97.

Edward was born in New Haven, Connecticut Sept. 9, 1926, to Morris and Sophie Pearl (Richmond) Platcow.  His enrollment at the University of Connecticut Pharmacy School was interrupted by the draft in WWII to serve in the Army Air Corps for two years as a code breaker, before being transferred to the pharmacy division. He returned to earn his bachelor’s degree and then went on to earn a master’s degree and PhD in Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Florida. After teaching at Ferris University and the University of Louisiana, he went on to hold research positions at Syntex Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, and Abbott Laboratories, as well as the American Medical Association, where he contributed key chapters to the Drug Evaluations Manual. In a 1965 edition of JAMA, representing the Council on Drugs, Edward authored a position on drug labeling protocol that we continue to benefit from today. In his retirement, he served on the medical ethics boards of Lake Forest Hospital and Condell Hospital.

Most importantly, Edward was known as the devoted and proud husband to Rosalind (Havens), father to David and Stephen (Janet), and grandchildren Sophia and Haven. He was a lifelong student, continuing Liberal Arts studies with an emphasis on romantic composers at the University of Chicago. Even into his early 90’s, Edward would take the train into the city as a passionate patron of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera.

Edward was preceded in death by his father, Morris; mother, Sophie; wife Rosalind, sister Marjorie (Croog) and brother Richard.

The family will celebrate Edward’s life at The Union Church of Lake Bluff, Illinois on Saturday, March 23rd at 10 am.