The Executive Director of the Wyoming State Board of Pharmacy, Mary Kirkpatrick, grew up in Newcastle in her family’s downtown drug store. Newcastle Drug and Jewelry was in business from 1910-1990, after Kirkpatrick’s grandparents moved to Newcastle in the early 1900’s and married in 1912. Kirkpatrick’s father and grandfather both worked as watchmakers in the store, while her uncle was a pharmacist.
Kirkpatrick graduated from Newcastle High School in 1969, after which she attended the University of Wyoming on a high school honors scholarship. When she started college, Kirkpatrick was going to school with an undeclared major until she came home to work in the drug store for the summer and holiday seasons. The pharmacy intern at the time, Lanny Reimer, encouraged Kirkpatrick to give pharmacy a try. She heeded Reimer’s advice, and the career path was a perfect it. Kirkpatrick attributes finding her way to her upbringing in the Newcastle community.