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