Gary L. Powell, 65, passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2013. He was born December 29, 1947 to Lawrence and Virginia Powell and grew up in Salem, Indiana. It was during his years on the family farm, exploring the forests, creeks and caves of southern Indiana, that Gary's interest in science and biology took root. After earning his AB degree in biology from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, he went on to The University of Texas at Austin for his doctoral work in Vertebrate Zoology (Ichthyology) under Dr. Clark Hubbs.
In 1975 Gary began his 28-year career with the Texas Water Development Board, serving as director of the Environmental Division. He managed 13 diverse scientific and engineering programs, notably studying the environmental flow needs necessary to maintain the health and productivity of aquatic ecosystems. He helped pioneer the use of advanced technologies to evaluate the freshwater inflow needs of coastal bays and estuaries in Texas, and later in Florida as well.
After retiring from the TWDB in 2003, Gary founded his consulting firm, Aquatic Science Associates, and chaired numerous scientific review panels for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, and others. His most recent publication was a chapter in the book "Gulf of Mexico Origin, Waters and Biota: Volume 4, Ecosystem-based Management," published by Texas A&M University Press (in press).
Gary is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carol; his daughter Kimberley Baltau and son-in-law Mark Baltau of Santa Clarita, CA; grandson Travis Baltau; brother Kevin Powell of Indianapolis, IN; nephew Matt Powell of McKinney, TX; niece Karla Powell of Orlando, FL.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 7, 5:00-7:00, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar. Online condolences may be addressed to www.wcfish.com or to www.legacy.com/NS/celebrate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Gary Powell to the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Federation ("TCAFS Student Scholarship Endowment," 6505 Freesia Ct., Austin, TX 78739), or to the American Cancer Society.
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