In Memoriam: John Leo Abernethy John (Jack) Leo Abernethy, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, passed away FeBuary 9, 1987, after a long period of paor health (caused by diabetes). Anative of Californiaand a bachelor all his life, Abernethy graduated from CanogaPark High School in 1931. He majored in Chemistry a t UCLA and graduated in 1936. He went on t o complete his PhD under Charles Hurd a t Northwestern University in Illmois. After several years of teaching a t the college level and employment in industry, he joined the Chemistry Department a t Cal Poly in 1969 where he advanced t o the rank of full professor in 1477 ,. L".
Declining health forced Abernethy to seek early retirement in 1980. During his tenure a t Csl Poly Pomona, he was well known for his close association with his students. He attracted many students as co-workers for his research, which primarily focused on the use of papain, an enzyme obtained from papaya latex, toward asymmetric synthesis of biomoleeules. He and his students published many papers on this subject in international journals. Jack Abernethy was an active participant in the proceedings of the American Chemical Society, the Society of Sigma Xi, and the California Associationof Chemistry Teachers (CACT). Heserved as the CACTassociate editor for the Journal of Chemical Education until 1983.
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Journal of Chemical Education
