Fill-in position became career for North Central professor

Back in 1964, a music performance major at North Central College in Naperville petitioned college officials to offer science classes geared for nonscience majors.

They agreed and the former Lana Thompson found herself in a course called the Nature of Science, led by Professor Paul Sutton. It gave students an overview of topics, from astronomy to nuclear physics.

"It was very helpful, but I still needed a little tutoring, however," she said.

The extra help led to a serious romance and, late in the semester, they became engaged.

"I still only passed the course, with a 'C,' "Lana Sutton said with a laugh. "I guess we didn't get much tutoring done."

Sutton and family members reflected on these and other fond memories in light of Mr. Sutton's death. He died on Saturday after a long battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The former 26-year resident of Naperville was 70.

Mr. Sutton was the son of a Methodist minister, who was assigned to a different church every two years; consequently the family moved multiple times during his childhood.

However, once he attended North Central College, he found a home. Mr. Sutton graduated with a triple major in mathematics, physics and chemistry in 1958 before earning his doctorate in physical chemistry at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

It was during his advanced studies that former North Central College president, Joseph Rall called on Mr. Sutton to consider coming back to teach chemistry. A beloved professor, Dr. Irving Koten, had died during the semester.

Although Mr. Sutton had intended to work as a scientist and researcher, he answered the call and began what would be a 38-year teaching career, all at North Central.

During his years there, Mr. Sutton taught mainly physics and chemistry, while also serving as department chairman and science division head, but he also helped to launch the college's computer science department.

"He originally came to the college because it was church-related and because of its good science faculty," his wife said. "But once he got there, he appreciated all of the liberal arts and he came to believe a scientist should be educated in the fine arts to be a well-rounded human being."

In 1994, Mr. Sutton was awarded the first Harold and Eva White Distinguished Professor in the Liberal Arts award and, in 2000, college leaders hung Mr. Sutton's portrait in the science department when he retired.

"He was a very valued member of the faculty," said R. Devadoss Pandian, vice president for academic affairs and faculty dean. "He was a wonderful teacher and made a huge impact on our academic institution."

While Mr. Sutton worked at the college, his wife became a United Methodist minister, and served at churches in Durand, Ill., River Forest and Woodstock, before spending the last two years at Wheatland Salem United Methodist Church in Naperville.

Mr. Sutton played an active role at each one, playing handbells and singing in the church choir, while teaching adult Bible classes and Sunday school.

Church leaders affirmed his work at the local, district and conference levels -- including his study into the status and role of women -- by presenting him with the Bishop Marjorie Matthews Award.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Sutton is survived by his two children, Chad (Stephanie) Sutton of Rolling Meadows, and Dr. Claire Sutton of Naperville, as well as his grandson, Shane.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. before an 11 a.m. memorial service, both on Saturday at Community United Methodist Church, 20 N. Center St. in Naperville.

North Central College plans to hold a memorial service at noon on March 25 at Koten Chapel on the campus, 30 N. Brainard St. in Naperville.