Gordon W Powell

Gordon W. Powell, 96, of Worthington, Ohio passed peacefully at his home on December 22, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife Bobbie, his first wife Betty (Wilson), parents Walter Winyard Powell and Lillian Winifred (Swain) Powell, and many beloved rescue dogs that brought him great joy over the years. Gordon was born March 10, 1928 in Providence, Rhode Island. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for 8 years with the help of the G.I. Bill, ultimately achieving a Doctor of Science degree in Metallurgy. He began his academic career at the University of Wisconsin, and then at The Ohio State University in the Department of Metallurgical Engineering. He developed strong bonds with his students, including challenging them to games of handball, and assisting cash-strapped grad students with automotive repairs to the extent that his home became known as “Gordy’s Garage”. He also made sure that any visiting grad students or professors from outside the United States had a place to go for holidays. A lifelong advocate of physical conditioning, and especially weight lifting, he was the first person to use the then-new RPAC at Ohio State. After completion of his distinguished 29 year career at The Ohio State University, he retired as a professor emeritus in engineering. He continued consulting on failure analysis and prevention, and served as the senior editor of the ASM Metals Handbook Volume 11 “Failure Analysis and Prevention” in 1986, and publication of “A Fractography Atlas of Casting Alloys” in 1992. When Bobbie and her daughter Anne started The Collection in Powell, Gordon developed a passion for woodworking and furniture restoration. He worked alongside Bobbie every day for well over 15 years creating and finishing beautiful pieces. Gordon had a great design eye and crafted many custom cabinets using repurposed antique components and decorative features. Gordon said many times that those were some of the most rewarding and fulfilling years of his life. Gordon was very proud of and dearly loved his entire family. He is survived by four sons David (Nancy), Erik (Missy), Craig and Norman (Vicki) Powell, step-children Anne, Jeanne (Tom), John (Kathylynn) and Tom St. Pierre, grandchildren Jordan, Austin, Spencer, Remy, Loren, Amy, Addie, Michael, Summer, Jenna, Richard, Griffin, Tyler, Parker, Kevin, Clayton and Carter, and great-grandchildren Kamilla, Henry and George. A celebration of Gordon’s life will be held at the McConnell Arts Center in Worthington 5:30 to 7:30 pm on Sunday March, 2. Online condolences and memories can be posted at https://www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered as a man who tremendously valued education and physical fitness and lived life to the fullest. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Gordon W. Powell Scholarship Fund in Materials Science and Engineering at The Ohio State University #605887 – send checks to The Ohio State Foundation, PO Box 736096, Chicago, IL 60673-6096, or online at https://giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/605887

Gordon W Powell

March 10, 1928 - December 22, 2024