Pat Romano Fund

The Patrick “Doc Rom” Romano Memorial Fund

The Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences has announced a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $50,000 to support the department in two initiatives to honor the life, legacy, and 50-year service of Professor Patrick Romano at Westfield State University:

1.       The Patrick “Doc Rom” Romano Memorial Award in Chemistry, to be awarded annually by the department to one deserving student who follows in Professor Romano’s image.

2.       Naming of the Professor Patrick Romano memorial laboratory

Professor Patrick Romano, longtime faculty member of the Department of Chemistry at Westfield State University, passed away in March 2023 after a brief battle with lung cancer. Professor Romano joined the faculty at Westfield State University after earning his PhD at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He became a steadfast fixture in the department over an astounding 50-year career, including multiple stints as Department Chair. Amazingly, Professor Romano was involved in hiring every other faculty member in the department at the time of his retirement in 2021. His love for teaching was surpassed only by his dedication to mentorship. Professor Romano connected with countless students over his career, and sincerely enjoyed supporting them in their academic pursuits beyond college.

Outside of his career at Westfield State University, family and friends remember Patrick as an avid sports fanatic. He played in old-timer golf leagues, senior softball circuits, and developed a large network of cronies who shared his passion to participate in sports to the bitter end. He was a talented middle infielder with quick hands that could turn the most spectacular double plays, though his skills were always muted by his humility. He traveled the country with his teams, playing tournaments in Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Nevada, and New York.

Below are some links to websites that we know many students, colleagues, family, and friends will enjoy and we continue to remember Professor Romano and honor his legacy at Westfield State University.

Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/patrick-romano-obituary?id=51529004

click here to donate

If you have additional questions or would like to speak with someone further about how you can help this campaign, please email Bill Hynes at whynes@westfield.ma.edu or (413) 572-8647.