TITLE: In memory of John J. McKetta Jr.

SUMMARY: In memory of John J. McKetta Jr.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of John J. McKetta Jr., who died January 15, 2019, at the age of 103; and WHEREAS, Johnny McKetta was born on October 17, 1915, in Wyano, Pennsylvania, to John and Mary McKetta, and he grew up in the coal towns of western Pennsylvania; he mined coal for a time and was a regional Golden Gloves boxing champion before studying chemical engineering at Trine University in Indiana; and WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife, the late Helen Elisabeth Smith "Pinky" McKetta, married on October 17, 1943, and they enjoyed 67 years of marriage together; they were blessed with four children, and their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a source of much pride and joy for him; and WHEREAS, Johnny McKetta joined the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin in 1946 as a chemical engineering professor; he went on to become one of the most widely respected professors in his field, and he was beloved by many generations of students for his engaging sense of humor and his ability to inspire them in their studies; he served as dean of the university's College of Engineering, and he was a prolific author; in 2012, the university renamed his home department the John J. McKetta Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering; and WHEREAS, One of the world's foremost experts on energy, he served as an advisor to five United States presidents and held leadership positions with the National Energy Policy Committee and the Southern Interstate Nuclear Board; he was the editor of a 68-volume encyclopedia and the author or editor of 20 other books, and he published approximately 400 articles in scholarly journals; and WHEREAS, He was elected by his peers to serve as president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and in 1989, he was awarded the Hoover Medal, which recognizes great, unselfish, nontechnical services by engineers to humanity; he served for 50 years as a trustee at his alma mater, Trine University, which also named its chemical engineering department in his honor; and WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by all who were privileged to share in his life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of John J. McKetta Jr.; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of John J. McKetta Jr. Watson President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 25, 2019, by a rising vote.