Physical therapy leader Otto D. Payton, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Catherine Worthingham fellow and author of the seminal Research in Clinical Practice, died September 4 in Richmond, Virginia. He was 84.

Professor emeritus of physical therapy at the Medical College of Virginia campus at Virginia Commonwealth University, Payton was an internationally known lecturer and author, as well as a practicing physical therapist for more than 50 years. He edited the Journal of Physical Therapy Education and served as chairman of the editorial board for the Clinics in Physical Therapy series of books throughout its 33-volume publication history.

In addition to Research in Clinical Practice, Payton authored or coauthored several texts including Patient Participation in Program Planning, Psychosocial Aspects of Clinical Practice, and Treatment Planning for Rehabilitation: A Patient-Centered Approach.

Payton received the Jules M. Rothstein Golden Pen Award for Scientific Writing from APTA in 1981 and the Lucy Blair Service Award in 1988. He became a Catherine Worthingham fellow in 1993.

In an oral history available for loan from APTA, Payton also mentions that he served on the Maryland physical therapist examining board with Florence and Henry Kendall, and was an early chair of the Physical Therapy Fund, the predecessor of the Foundation for Physical Therapy.

He is survived by his daughter, Colleen M. Payton, and granddaughters, Jane Yoon and Meredyth Yoon.