Remembering Albert A. Sebok1931-2013

In Memoriam: Albert A. Sebok

NACDS mourns the passing of pharmacy pioneer Albert A. Sebok on November 3. NACDS in 1991 presented Sebok with the prestigious Harold W. Pratt Award, in recognition of his leadership in advancing the role of the pharmacist. He served as chairman of the NACDS Pharmacy Affairs Committee and as chairman of the NACDS Pharmacy Conference. A graduate of Ohio Northern University, Sebok was honored in 2010 among other recognitions from his alma mater by the creation � �of the Raabe College of Pharmacy's "Sebok Pharmacy Lecture." In delivering the inaugural lecture, NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, said, "We are honoring a man whose patient care and corporate career at Revco exemplified the value of pharmacy. Effective consultations and wise operational decisions, stitched together over the course of decades, create an impressive career. But Albert Sebok has accomplished even more than that. His commitment to pharmacy goes far beyond talk of a distinguished career. It also defines what it means to be part of, and to advance, one's profession." Visitation will be held Thursday, November 7, from 4-8 p.m., and the funeral service will be held Saturday, November 9, at 11 a.m., both at Jardine Funeral Home in Strongsville, OH. Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio Northern University, School of Pharmacy, Sebok Scholarship Fund. NACDS joins with Sebok's family and many other friends in remembering this true gentleman and giant of pharmacy.

“ Al was a teacher, a tireless scholar who inspired, guided,

enlightened and motivated me in a simple but powerful

way. He taught me how to think and not what to think. ”

Jim MastrianFormer Chain Drug Executive

“ Al Sebok was a professional who took his work seriously, but was able to laugh regularly. I’ll remember him as a friend, mentor, professional, and someone who appreciated the real value of education. He is missed. ”

Ernest Boyd, R.Ph., MBA Executive Director Ohio Pharmacists Association

“ Mentor, advocate, ambassador and friend. ”

Tom Kier, BSPh ’82Interim DeanCollege of PharmacyOhio Northern University

“ Al was very focused almost to a fault. Every thing he did, he did with a distinct purpose. Not a party guy. He was most intelligent with a stride that some incorrectly thought bordered on arrogance. I liked him-very impressive. ” Verne Haugen, BSPh ’53

“ Dr. Al Sebok was one of the kindest, most compassionate pharmacists I had the honor of knowing. He did so many great things for the profession of pharmacy! 

He was a wonderful role model. He loved Ohio Northern University and the Raabe College of Pharmacy. ONU is a better place because of him. ” Karen Kier, BSPh ‘82Professor of PharmacyCollege of PharmacyOhio Northern University

“ Al and I and others were at a meeting in Cleveland, probably at Revco. He said to me “There ought to be a course on chain drug stores at ONU.” While I was not sure about that I did tell him OK and asked about a list of topics to cover. By the way, Al, do you know someone who can talk about these things. He said he thought so and within a week he had sent me the topic list and he found the speakers, mostly from Revco. One of the speakers was the President and CEO, most of the others were Vice Presidents. He organized a high powered speakers panel indeed. At the same meeting he and I walked into the ladies room by mistake.

He took it all in stride, the good and the bad, and enjoyed every minute of it. ”

Donald W. Stansloski, R.Ph., Ph.D.Dean for the College of PharmacyThe University of FindlayProfessor of Pharmacy Practice EmeritusOhio Northern University

“ Al Sebok was an industry leader and visionary. He was truly passionate about the profession of pharmacy always encouraging pharmacists to learn more, do more and be more.

It was an honor and a privilege to work with Al and learn from him. ” Robert I. Thompson, R.Ph. Executive Vice President, PharmacyRite Aid Corporation

“ Ohio Northern University and the College of Pharmacy has lost a wonderful friend and generous benefactor. Al was a powerful force in the pharmaceutical industry, but remained always a gentle soul, well grounded in family, friends, and Christian truths. ”

Rev. Msgr. James Ruef, BA ’61, JD ’67, Hon. D. ’09

“ Al usually went home almost every other weekend. When he returned on Sunday evening, he always brought back a suit-box full of homemade Slovak pastries made by his grandmother. A wide variety of goodies which were soon gone. While we never met Al's grandmother, we loved her dearly, as we did Al. ” Tom Smailes, BSPh ’53Former roommate

“ Al Sebok was an icon in Pharmacy. At Ohio Northern, he was a great guy who loved his alma mater. He was a gentleman yet a true character and his friendship was overwhelming and so genuine. A true unique Christian son of old ONU! ”

William L. Robinson, BSEd ’61, ACIT ’71, ACIT ’89, Hon. D. ’05, H of F ’05Executive Assistant to the President EmeritusOhio Northern University

“ Al Sebok: ambassador, benefactor, colleague, mentor, student, and supporter, but mostly, a faithful friend for life. ”

Tom Gossel, BSPh ’63, ACIT ’89, ACIT ’97Dean of Pharmacy EmeritusOhio Northern University

“ I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Sebok before even entering as a P1 at ONU. We are both from Hudson, OH, so he hand delivered my academic scholarship. Throughout my time at Northern, I've continued my relationship with Dr. Sebok, and even had him as an instructor. He was there cheering on the tennis team in Cleveland as we clinched the OAC title at Baldwin-Wallace. I am fortunate to have formed a great relationship with him. ”

Bridget Larson, PharmD ’10

Dr. Albert Sebok

Dr. Albert Sebok

“ The fact is that with Albert Sebok, and others like him, community pharmacy would not be part of the health care conversation to the significant extent that it is today.Albert Sebok has accomplished even more than that. His commitment to pharmacy goes far beyond talk of a distinguished career. It also defines what it means to be part of, and to advance, one’s profession. ” Steve AndersonPresident and CEONational Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)

“ Among a class of stars, Al Sebok shined the brightest. ”

John Abbott, BSPh ’53

“ The fact is that with Albert Sebok, and others like him, community pharmacy would not be part of the health care conversation to the significant extent that it is today.Albert Sebok has accomplished even more than that. His commitment to pharmacy goes far beyond talk of a distinguished career. It also defines what it means to be part of, and to advance, one’s profession. ” Steve Anderson, President and CEONational Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)

“ He was a great person and has such a lasting legacy. ” 

Adrienne (Wood) Donaldson, BSPh ’99ONU Pharmacy Advisory Board Chair

“ Al Sebok was a true Renaissance man. Loyal to his family, friends and employer. He was a good friend that you could always count on, and excelled in hosting birthday parties for Doctor Cockinlager and Doctor Chickenflicker. (Gossel & Wuest) I miss him. ” 

Dick WuestProfessor of Pharmacy EmeritusUniversity of Cincinnati

“ Al was a close friend because of our shared love for pharmacy and ONU. I saw him regularly and his first questions were always about my family and then about the College of Pharmacy and ONU. He cared deeply about our University. ” Bob McCurdy, BSPh ’65, Hon. D. ’96Special Assistant to the DeanCollege of PharmacyOhio Northern University

“ Al would bring Revco tee shirts to NACDS Pharmacy Affairs committee meetings. When the committee went to a restaurant to eat dinner (the restaurants weren’t of the White Castle variety). The restaurants would be very high class. Al would then hand tee shirts out to the person taking reservations/preparing wait lists etc., waiters and waitresses, etc. Al would then insist that whoever he gave a tee shirt to, they had to wear the shirt. Al would also give the shirts to the airplane staff, including the gate agent, flight attendants, cock-pit crew, etc. Al would then insist that the plane staff must wear the shirt during the entire flight. I don’t ever recall anybody refusing the shirt and no one refused Al’s terms and conditions (having to wear Al’s tee shirts). ”

Bruce Briggs R.Ph. BRIGGS PRN, LLC

“ One of Uncle Al’s famous quotes that I still use today in presentations, etc. is when he told me “some companies use LIFO in their accounting methods and some companies used FIFO. My pharmacists use the FISH method of accounting in their stores… first in, still here (fish). ”

“ Liars poker is an easy lay-up. ”

“ Whenever you’d ask Al a question, he would answer “why not”.”

Bruce Briggs R.Ph. Briggs PRN, LLC

“The second time I met Al was at Bill Robinson’s ‘roast’ at the Bistro upon one of his retirements. Al, remembering me, came over to sit with me, along with one of his dear friends, Erv Pierstorf. Still being relatively new, it was great to see some familiar faces. Al began telling Erv about me, remembering everything we discussed at Akron. I remember thinking at that point… truly, what a great man. Most definitely, he loves his family, but he understands, appreciates and respects PEOPLE… all people. And that, is what made Al Sebok a rare and amazing individual. ”

Ann Donnelly Hamilton, BA ‘99Executive Assistant to the PresidentOhio Northern University

“ As the PHPR Department Chair, I always told Uncle Al that I doubled his salary every year since he was an Adjunct Faculty member. Of course two times zero is still zero. We also joked about him applying for tenure. What I didn't know was he was doubling his annual contribution to ONU and that he would be a “Faculty” member at the Raabe College of Pharmacy for life. ”  James ReiselmanAssociate Professor of PharmacyOhio Northern University