Cannon, Dr. Joseph G.

Dr. Joseph G. Cannon died at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City on Dec. 17, 2011.

Born Sept. 30, 1926, in Decatur, Ill., he received a B.S. degree in pharmacy with High Honors from the University of Illinois in 1951. He subsequently received a M.S. (1952) and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry with a pharmacology minor from Illinois in 1957.

He was appointed assistant professor in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin in 1956 and associate professor in 1960. He joined the faculty of the College of Pharmacy of the University of Iowa in 1962 and was named Professor of Medicinal Chemistry in 1965. He was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus of Medicinal Chemistry in 1996.

Professor Cannon served on the editorial boards of numerous chemistry journals and for many years he served as the Book Review Editor of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

A passionate learner, Joe loved reading, especially Civil War history, NY Times crosswords, opera, Click and Clack, travel from the Great Pyramids to the back roads of Iowa, his Lunch Bunch with whom he shared Friday lunch for many decades, his cats, and especially his kids and grandkids, but no one more than his wife Lynne, with whom he traveled through 51 years of marriage, through some sickness and much health, laughter and undying happiness.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Lynne Cannon; children, Huldah, Douglas, Barbara and Stephen; children-in-law whom he loved as his own; and grandchildren, Sophia, Laine, Rocco and Avery.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Lennie and Linn Cannon.

The Cannon Family welcomes friends to join them on Sunday, Jan. 1, at the family home from 2 to 6 p.m. to honor and celebrate Joe.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be directed to the College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, through the University of Iowa Foundation, Levitt Center for University Advancement, 1 West Park Rd., Iowa City, IA 52244.

Published Dec. 22, 2011, in The Gazette