SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 243
In Memory
of
John J. McKetta Jr.
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.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate