John Edward Powers “Jack” was born in Wilkinsburg, PA on October 12, 1927
Jack Powers was a great father, brother, son, grandfather, uncle and great uncle. He loved his family and friends.
Frequently Jack made the effort to go visit them. He also encouraged them to visit Castle Valley, sending out
his own handwritten brochure of the many things to do in the area. The people who came to visit enjoyed sightseeing,
river trips, hikes, playing cards and many overnight adventures.
The highlight of the summer in Castle Valley was the triple sunrise viewing at the summer solstice. Up before dawn, watching the sun
rise three times with dark glass to protect our eyes. Then a pancake breakfast with bacon, coffee, and orange juice for all.
When Jack was growing up his family moved a bit. Football was his saving grace. For Jack’s junior year of high
school his family moved to Montclair, New Jersey. By his senior year Jack was vice president of his class and co-captain of
the football team. With that famous twinkle in his eye, Jack used to say “I was small, but I was slow.” What he was was competitive!
Jack went to Cornell for college (and football). After a year he was drafted, and played football in the Army. After the Army, he chose to go to the University of Michigan for school. Jack graduated with honors from the department of Chemical Engineering, as well as playing football and winning the Big 10 wrestling championship. On January 1, 1951 he played in the Rose Bowl. The following day, he married Harriet Ann Fenske and moved to California, skiing along the way for their honeymoon.
Marguerite Eileen and Patrick Michael were born in California while Jack earned his Ph.D in Chemical Engineering at U.C. Berkeley.
The family moved to Norman, Oklahoma where he became the chair of the Chemical Engineering Department. There in Oklahoma Judith Lynn was born. After doing research in Germany for a year, the Powers’ moved back to Ann Arbor, MI where he taught and did research until he retired professor emeritus in 1982.
At that time, Jack moved out to Castle Valley. There he played bridge, ran rivers, including the Colorado, and puttered around on his land with his backhoe, dump truck, semi- and cherry picker. He cut down trees in the La Sals, milled the logs and created “the House that Jack built”.
In 2003 he moved to Pittsburgh to live with his daughter and family. Jack loved the time he spent with Marnie, Jim
and especially his granddaughters, Ruth and Sarah Tynen. Jack moved with the Tynens to Orem, Utah and North Carolina. There he passed away quickly on June 10, 2016.
He was a GREAT man: fun, funny, generous and energetic. Jack will be missed.
