Thomas E. Powers

Thomas E. Powers, DVM, Ph.D., age 84, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 14, 2010. He was born in Cedarville, Ohio on December 29, 1925 to the late Fred and Elizabeth (Rumbaugh) Powers. He was a proud WWII veteran serving his country in Germany from 1944 -1947. He retired in 1985 from the Army Reserve as a Colonel. During his life, he had a long relationship with The Ohio State University. He earned Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1953. In 1954 he earned Masters of Science, in Microbiology. He was awarded his Ph.D. in Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology in 1960, also from OSU. Because of his love of knowledge, he attended a special course in Biometrics and Computer Programming at Harvard Medical School. During Thomas’ illustrious career at OSU he became the Chairman and Professor Emeritus of the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Both he and his wife Jean were the first husband and wife to receive simultaneous Fulbright Scholarships. He was proud to have the “OSU Thomas E. Powers Pharmacology” chair named in his honor. He was also a long time member of The Ohio State University President’s Club. More important than his career, awards and honors were his family. He loved spending time with the grandchildren at the family farm in Lithopolis. They had a great time outdoors fishing and being with all the animals. His family and friends will greatly miss his unconditional love and support, sense of humor and his story telling. Thomas is preceded in death by his sister, Winnifred Jones; brothers, Marcus and Warren Powers. He is survived and will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 35 years, Jean. He is also survived by their children, Dr. Stephen (Tina) Powers, Michael (Gail) Powers, Cheryl (Carlos) Marquez, Dr, Karen (Steven) Heiser, Dr. William (Bonnie) Hensel. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Dorothy Rawlings; many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his special friends Dr. Joe McCracken and Dr. Bob Hamlin. Friends may call from 2:00 to 5:00PM, Sunday, July 18 at the SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL1740 Zollinger RD. where the funeral service will be held at 1:00PM, Monday, July 19. Celebrant Andrew Hoover officiating. Entombment to follow at Franklin Hills Memory Gardens. Contributions in Thomas’ memory may be made to the OSU Dr. Thomas E. Powers Endowed Chair, Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology; 1900 Coffee Rd., Columbus, OH. 43210. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory of Thomas.