Dr. John Joseph Powers

Dr. John J. Powers died on December 23rd, 2014 at the age of 96. Dr. Powers joined the Department of Food Processing at the University of Georgia in 1947 as an Associate Professor. He earned a BS in Chemistry from Massachusetts State College in 1940 and in 1945; he earned a PhD in Food Technology. He is survived by his loving wife, Irene Powers, of 69 years, Jennifer (Giles) Kennedy of Watkinsville, GA; John David (Heidi) Powers of Greenville, South Carolina and Michael (Janet) Powers of Hiram, GA, along with eight grandchildren. Dr. Powers was preceded in death by his parents, John J Powers Sr and Maria Tracey Powers of Pittsfield, MA, and Florence Killeen, his sister.
Dr. Powers served as Head of the Department of Food Science at the University of Georgia from 1952 to1967. He returned to his job as a professor and in 1979 he was appointed the William Terrell Distinguished Professor of Food Science. The chair is the oldest endowed chair in the Agricultural Sciences in the United States, having been established in 1854. Dr. Powers organized Master's level and PhD courses in 1948 for the Department of Food Science. By 1960, the department flourished and was recognized by the Institute of Food Technologists as being one of the most outstanding departments in the country.
Dr. Powers also served in various professional ways. In 1952 he was one of the originators of the Dixie Regional Section of the Institute of Food Technologists and was the first Chairman upon recognition of the section by the IFT. He did the same in the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists in 1948, when it chose him as a Chairman. In 1954, Dr. Powers was elected by the USC Chancellor to become the appointed President of IFT. Dr. Powers became President in 1986. He received the William V. Cruess Award from the IFT Institute in 1982. This award is presented for excellence in teaching of Food Science. Although he received many other awards, he considered his highest award to be when some graduates of the Food Science Department initiated and financially supported a room in the Food Science building and named it the "John J. Powers" room at The University of Georgia in recognition of him. More than 80 students returned to celebrate Dr. Powers on his 90th birthday in 2008 at the University of Georgia.
In 1984, Dr. Powers received the Appert Award, the most prestigious of the IFT Awards for his preeminence and contributions in the field of Food Science. One of Dr. Power's greatest constitutions was the "Liquid Fund Balance" for IFT. He also served on the Board of Directors of the IFT Foundation from 1992-1996. He was Treasurer and Chairman of the IFT Finance Committee from 1991-1994 and was elected a fellow in 1974.
Other honors include the Research Award from the Society of Medicinal Friends of Wine in 1972, the David Perryam Award from the Sensory Section of the International ASTM in 1995, a Fulbright Award to teach in Ecuador in1972 and Finland in 1986. In 1972, he received the National Academy of Science Award to lecture in 4 countries behind the Iron Curtain. He also taught in Taiwan and Indonesia, held a workshop in South Africa. At various times, Dr. Powers was on the editorial board for six scientists' journals and was Editor of the Journal of Food Quality for 12 years. He was a Member of the Toxicology Study Section, The National Institute of Health for 4 years and the Biology and Chemistry study Section for three years. He was a delegate to the International Standards Organization's meetings in Europe and was a member of Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, and Phi Tau Sigma (President in 1962). He also received the Macy Award of Minnesota IFT Regional Section in 1991 and was Chairman of the American Chemical Society subdivision on Food Flavors. For 10 years, he lectured at ACS Local Sections and was also elected as an ASTM Fellow in 1983 and received the Award of Merit.
Among local honors, he was President of the Gaines School Civilian Club in 1956, Chairman of the University of Georgia Chapter of the American Association of University Professors in1954, President of Little League in 1970 and then the Senior League in 1973. He as a member of Saint Josephs' Catholic Church, as well sat on their Advisory Board in the 1960's.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Mary's Hospital Love Light Tree benefitting The Hospice House. The family would also like to thank everyone at Magnolia Estates and The STMH Hospice House for their care and support.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. www.lordandstephens.com