John A. Tanaka

STORRS--A memorial service for Dr. John Akira Tanaka, who died April 14, 2012 will be held Friday, May 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Storrs Congregational Church, 2 North Eagleville Road. John was an emeritus professor of Chemistry and former director of the Honors Programs at the University of Connecticut. John was born in San Diego, CA, June 18, 1924, son of Keinosuke and Tokuko (Shima) Tanaka. He graduated from UCLA in chemistry before earning a PhD. in organic chemistry from Iowa State University in 1956. He taught for seven years at South Dakota State University in Brookings. While there, he met Patricia Ellwein, and they were married in August 1959. Sons Peter Mark and Paul Michael were born in South Dakota before the family moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where John completed a two-year post-doctoral study of inorganic chemistry. In 1965, he began his 40 year teaching career at UCONN. John's research centered on electrical insulation and he became active in the Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Society, eventually serving as president of the international organization. In 1985, he helped found the Electrical Insulation Magazine, becoming Editor in 1987, adding managing editor in 1991, and continuing until 2001. A twelve-page tribute to his work was published in Vol. 19, No. 4 of the EI Magazine. He garnered awards including an Honorary Doctorate from Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse, France, l983; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship, 1986; DEIS/IEEE Distinguished Service Award, 1988; EEIC Hall of Fame Award, 1991; UConn Alumni Assoc. Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service, 1994; Millennium Medal from the IEEE, 2000; and Lifetime Achievement Award for research, teaching and service for the Department of Chemistry and the University of Connecticut, 2011. He mentored three graduate students at SDSU and 15 at UConn. In 1971, he became director of the UConn Honors Programs, retiring in 1993. While director, he initiated mini courses, a one credit First Year Experience course, a "get acquainted" picnic in the fall, summer reading lists of classics for GRE preparation, and advising and preparation of composite letters of recommendation for pre-medical and pre-dental students. After his retirement, he continued to advise the Pre-Dental Club, and teach a senior inorganic laboratory class for which he co-wrote the book "Experimental Methods in Inorganic Chemistry" with Steven Suib. He is survived by his wife of 52 years Patricia; his son Peter, Peter's wife Lisa and their children John and Stephanie of Willington; and his son Paul, Paul's wife Marta, and their children Tyler and Joe of Carlsbad, CA, as well as his sister Iris Fukutaki of Los Angeles and her children Karen and Steven; and his brother Tyler, Tyler's wife Peggy of San Diego, and their children Stuart, Diane and Brian. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to one of the following funds: The Dr. John Tanaka Scholarship for Honors at UConn, The Tanaka Fund for Innovative Undergraduate Advising or The Emeriti Fund for Undergraduate Chemistry Research. Checks may be made payable to The UConn Foundation, Inc. and sent to 2390 Alumni Drive, Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269. For an on-line memorial guest book, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .