Feb 28, 2022

John Charles Forrest

Posted Feb 28, 2022 7:32 PM

Dr. John Charles Forrest, 85, of West Lafayette, Indiana, died February 23, 2022, at 3:55am, at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Delphi, IN. He had been a resident there for the past 2 years.

He was born July 30, 1936, in Larned, Kansas and was the older of two sons to his parents, Orman and Erma Kline Forrest. He spent his childhood in Larned, attending a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade, helping out on the family farm, and participating in 4-H. He married his first wife, Katherine Whiteside, mother of David and Tim, in 1964. He then married Beverley A. Richardson Landis in West Lafayette, on August 21, 2004, and she survives.

He was a 1954 graduate of Larned High School, Larned, KS. He earned a BS in Animal Science in1960, and a MS in Meat Science in 1962, both from Kansas State University, and a PhD in Muscle Chemistry & Physiology in 1966, at the University of Wisconsin. He was a Professor of Animal Science at Purdue University from 1967 until his retirement in 2005, as Professor Emeritus. He truly loved teaching and mentored thousands of undergrads and many graduate students during his tenure.

He co-authored the textbook Principles of Meat Science and served on the Indiana meat producers through the agricultural extension program. He pioneered research in new methods to measure and ensure meat quality and safety. He published 85 research publications and was invited to 30 international speaking engagements, around the world. He traveled extensively as a consultant and lecturer. He led groups of Purdue students on international programs and hosted many foreign exchange students, forging lifelong friendships.

He was awarded the following honors: 1983 Distinguished Extension-Industry Service Award from the American Meat Science Assoc., 1988 Meritorious Service Award-IN Pork Producers Assoc., and was an Honorary Member Award-CERES Purdue Ag. Honorary Society, 1992 USDA Distinguished Service Award for Scientific Research, 1994 Industry Innovator Award-Meat Marketing & Technology magazine, and the Hovde Award of Excellence in Educational Service to rural people of IN, 1997 Meat Research Award-American Society of Animal Science, and the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) announces that Dr. John Forrest has been named the 2020 AMSA R.C. Pollock Award winner. The R.C. Pollock Award is presented annually in honor of the first general manager of the National Livestock and Meat Board. This award is sponsored by the AMSA Development Council R.C. Pollock, Robert Bray, and Vern Cahill Mentor Recognition Funds.

He was a member of the American Meat Science Assoc., American Society of Animal Science, Council for Agriculture Science & Technology, and the following Fraternal Memberships: Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta, Phi Tau Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi, & Epsilon Sigma Phi. John was a founding member of the Wabash Township Volunteer Fire Department from 1975 to 1996, and active in the congregation of Covenant Church, serving as usher for many years.

John is preceded in death by his parents.

He will be dearly missed by his family. Surviving: wife Beverley A. Forrest of Zionsville; sons David (Rebecca) Forrest of Houston, TX and Tim (Jennifer) Forrest of Carmel. Grandsons: Gregory, Ryan, Joseph, Alex, and Jake Forrest; Brother Jim (Joan) Forrest of Larned, KS; niece Kimberly Forrest; nephew Kevin Forrest also survive.

A graveside service will be held at the Larned Cemetery, in Kansas on Thursday, March 3 at 2:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Covenant Church, 211 Knox Dr., West Lafayette, IN 47906 or Pawnee County 4-H Foundation, in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.

A memorial service in West Lafayette will be scheduled at a future date to be announced.