John H. Powers

John Harry Powers, 67, of Lower Burrell, died Friday (Nov. 29, 2002) at his home.

Born Sept. 10, 1935, in Arnold, he lived in the Valley his entire life. A 1953 graduate of Arnold High School, he graduated in 1963 with honors from Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University, with a degree in chemical engineering. Mr. Powers worked 40 years as a research engineer in the finishing division at the Alcoa Technical Center, Upper Burrell, developing anodizing and related processes and providing technical assistance to Alcoa customers and anodizers throughout the world. He wrote Alcoa Finishes Bulletins for anodizing and sealing processes, and published more than 100 technical society papers and internal reports. He holds eight U.S. Patents, and 14 invention records. Following retirement in 1993, he did private consulting on finishes for aluminum. His expertise covered many areas including finishing of litho sheet for printing, coil anodizing of reflector sheet, chemical milling, anodizing and chemical conversion coating for the aircraft industry, and surfaces for solar absorbers and reflectors. Mr. Powers was a member of Arnold Methodist Church; Tau Beta Pi and Zigma Xi, honorary engineering societies; Carnegie Mellon Alumni Association; Alcoa 25 Year Club; and numerous professional organizations including, Society of Automotive Engineers, Aluminum Anodizers Council, Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, Amercian Society of Metals, and American Electroplaters Society. An avid bridge player, he was a Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. He enjoyed carpentry and woodworking, and designed and built the family home. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, skiing, and traveling, especially a trip he took to the Amazon. Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Pamela L. Claassen-Powers; three sons, Jonathan Christopher Powers, at home, Jeff Powers of San Jose, Calif., and David Powers of New Kensington; a daughter, Deborah Coward of Orlando, Fla.; six grandchildren; and a brother, Constantine Powers of Lower Burrell. Mr. Powers was preceded in death by his parents, Emanuel and Margaret Robb Powers. A graveside service was conducted Monday by the Rev. Ralph Brownfield at Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association, 300 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 304, Pittsburgh, PA 15235. Arrangements were under the care of the ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington.