Thomas D. Palella, II.  MD., passed away at home on August 28, 2021. He was a native Chicagoan who graduated from Loyola Academy in Wilmette in 1969. He received his B.S. degree, magna cum laude (physics), from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. He was appointed a James Scholar at the University of Illinois College of Medicine (Chicago) and attained his MD with Honors, in 1977.  He completed his post-graduate studies (residency in Internal Medicine, Chief Medical Resident, and Fellowship in Rheumatology) at the University of Michigan School of Medicine.  After completion of his training, he joined the faculty of the University of Michigan and ultimately held the positions of Chief of the Division of Rheumatology and Director of the Rackham Arthritis Research Unit. The Thomas D. Palella Award for Excellence in Teaching was established in his honor when he left the University to return to the Chicago area, where he practiced clinical rheumatology in the northwest suburban area.

While at the University of Michigan, Dr. Palella's research focused on the molecular genetics of inborn errors of purine metabolism. His laboratory cloned and sequenced numerous disease genes resulting in identification of specific mutations at the molecular level.  His work culminated in the development of a methodology for transferring normal genes into mutant cells using viral vectors to correct genetic defects.  Dr. Palella and his two co-investigators were granted a patent for this method in 1997. It remains the most commonly used method for gene therapy.

Dr. Palella authored over fifty peer reviewed publications, as well as numerous book chapters, reviews and articles.  He served on a variety of committees of the American College of Rheumatology and the National Institutes of Health.  His NIH experience included participation in the formulation of guidelines for human gene therapy experimentation, especially the ban on human germ cell gene therapy.

Dr. Palella lived in Lake Forest, Illinois with Julie, his grateful wife of 36 years, and his loving children Daniel and Katey Rose.  They treasure this brilliant and remarkable man.  They are honored to have benefited from his generosity, kindness, wit and wealth of knowledge.  He was a self made man who enjoyed cooking, traveling, entertaining, doing crossword puzzles, and was a voracious reader with an extensive book collection. He was devoted to his family, his friends, his faith and his vocation.

He is also survived by his mother Esther Mastolonardo (Nicholas) Palella, brother Pat (Dawn) Palella, Sisters Marietta Palella and Maria (Tim) Cesar, sisters-in-law Kit (Ron) White, Mary (Ray) Moraniec, Anne (Lee) Victorian and brothers-in-law Tim, Joe, and John Blackburn.  Also surviving are many loved nieces and nephews with whom he enjoyed unique relationships.

Dr. Palella was preceded in death by his father Nicholas Palella, his mother and father- in-laws  Clarence and Julia Blackburn and his brothers-in-law Tim Cesar and Bill Blackburn.

A private Vigil, Catholic Funeral Mass, and Rite of Committal have taken place.  A Memorial Celebration is being planned for a later date.  Prayer was a daily part of Tom's life.  He prayed for others and appreciated knowing that others were praying for him.  His family asks that you continue to pray for him in his eternal life.