Henry Vernon Atherton Explained

Henry Vernon Atherton
Birth Date:	12 November 1923
Birth Place:	Eden, Vermont, U.S.
Death Place:	Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
Fields:	Animal Science
Workplaces:	University of Vermont
Alma Mater:	Pennsylvania State University University of Vermont

Henry Vernon Atherton (November 12, 1923 – March 1, 2016) was a Professor of Animal Science at the University of Vermont Extension, WWII veteran and pioneer in the dairy industry.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Early years

Born in Eden, Vermont on November 12, 1923, the third and youngest son of Phineas Alger Atherton (1907–1974)^[4] and Maude Lillian Marckres (1885–1980). His family were farmers in the Vermont dairy industry.

Atherton graduated from Barton Academy as class valedictorian in 1941; received a B.S. degree, cum laude, in dairy manufacturing in 1948, and an M.S. degree in 1950, both from the University of Vermont; and a PhD in dairy technology from Pennsylvania State University in 1953.^[5]

Career

Atherton became a pioneering investigator on the influence of bulk-milk cooling on the quality of milk and dairy products.^[6]

He is considered to be a leading researcher in a 100-year history of the American Dairy Science Association.As a renowned dairy scientist, he promoted broader knowledge of cheeses consumed by American consumers.^[7]

Atherton was a founding member of the Dairy Practices Council, and president of the Vermont Dairy Industry Association, and served on several national boards in the dairy industry. He worked with the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency to establish farm water quality criteria.^[8]

Atherton was a professor of animal and dairy husbandry at the University of Vermont.^[9] He retired in 1989, and in 2010 he received the Sinclair Cup Award for lifetime achievement, and was elected to the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame.^[10]

The University of Vermont holds a historical account of his life and academic career, including audio interviews^[11]

Personal

Atherton married to Phyllis Marie Hardy (1924–2017), the daughter of Wayland and Alice Hardy, on August 24, 1947. They had 3 children; William, Larry and Robert Atherton. 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.^[12]

He died in Burlington, Vermont on March 1, 2016.^{[13] [14]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: 20, 26, 32, 350, 37, and 45 C) and at four incubation intervals. Henry Vernon Atherton. Pennsylvania State University Abstracts of Doctoral Dissertations. 1953.
2. Book: Chemistry and Testing of Dairy Products. Atherton, Henry V. Atherton. Newlander, John Alvin. Avi Publishing Company. 1977. 9780870552533.
3. Web site: Quality Studies on Milk Cooled in Farm Bulk Tanks. Atherton, H.V.. Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, 1958 – Milk. 1958.
4. Web site: Atherton One Name Study entry for the parents of Henry Vernon Atherton.
5. Web site: Some physical, chemical, and bacteriological changes in market milk during prolonged periods of refrigerated storage. Henry Vernon Atherton. Pennsylvania State College. 1953.
6. Web site: Henry V Atherton achievements at the University of Vermont.
7. Web site: Try more cheese, please. Decatur Daily Democrat, March 11. 1970.
8. Proceedings of the Fifteenth National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments,St. Louis . 1975. McCaffrey, J.C.. Journal of Milk and Food Technology . 38 . 10 . 624–629 . 10.4315/0022-2747-38.10.624 .
9. Web site: Henry V. Atherton, Professor at University of Vermont. 1971. Greenfield Recorder, June 19.
10. Web site: Henry V. Atherton, former member of faculty at the University Of Vermont Extension.
11. Web site: Extension Dairy Specialist and faculty member of the UVM Department of Animal Sciences from 1953 to 1989 (includes audio). .
12. Web site: Henry V Atherton Eulogy.
13. Web site: Henry V. Atherton obituary. Legacy.com.
14. Web site: Henry V Atherton Eulogy.