Obituary

Dr. Robert Magee Powers

October 26, 1931 ~ August 19, 2026 

Dr. Robert Magee Powers passed away on August 19, 2026, at the age of 94.   Bob was raised in Bogalusa, Louisiana where he was the youngest of the 3 children of Edward Allen Powers and Norma Magee Powers.  Bob attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia,

Bob earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in chemistry at Emory. He then served in the U.S. Army at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Denver, Colorado, where he met the love of his life, Ruthann Hodgkins. Bob often described his time in Denver as the happiest of days.  After his military service, Bob returned to Emory to complete his Ph.D. in chemistry.  Upon receiving his doctorate, Bob and Ruthann moved to Decatur, Illinois, where he began a long and distinguished career with A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company. Starting as a staff chemist, he steadily rose through the ranks and was ultimately named President of Staley—the position he held when the company was acquired in the late 1980s by the British firm Tate & Lyle. Bob remained on the Board of Directors of Tate & Lyle for several years before fully retiring in the mid-1990s.

In retirement, Bob and Ruthann traveled the world, visiting dozens of countries, always returning with mementos, memories, and stories. Their favorite destination was Sun Valley, Idaho, where they spent many wonderful winters. An avid outdoorsman, Bob devoted much of his free time to fishing, snow skiing, golf, and duck hunting. He loved tracking the number of days and vertical feet he skied, the rounds of golf he played, and the pars he made—though the latter were sometimes few and far between.

Bob shared an especially close bond with his niece Mary Kelly Rogers of Gainesville, Georgia, and her family. Bob and Ruthann spent many holidays with family in Sun Valley, creating lifelong memories and a shared love of the Wood River Valley that has continued into the next generation. The family is deeply grateful to Bob’s many close acquaintances in Sun Valley for their friendship over the years.

After Ruthann’s passing in 2016, Bob spent increasing time in Idaho, where he continued to ski and golf into his final years. He also moved closer to family in Gainesville, Georgia, remaining near his beloved Emory University. A scientist at heart, Bob found great joy in supporting research through generous gifts to the orthopedic, cardiology, ophthalmology, and urology departments of the Emory University School of Medicine.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Norma, his wife Ruthann, his sister Sara and his brother Ed. He is survived by his nieces and great-nieces, and great-nephews. It brought the family great joy that Bob was able to spend the last few months of his life in Sun Valley. They extend special thanks to caregiver Kelly Mahdere, who, along with family, was by his side as he passed away in Sun Valley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Emory University School of Medicine via the following link:  https://gift.emory.edu/bobpowers

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200.