In Memoriam: TAPPI Member, Dr. Alan Button (1970 - 2021)
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At the age of 80 years old, Dr. Alan Frederick Button “AJ” died of Covid-19 related pneumonia on October 11, 2020. Alan was a devoted husband to his wife of 55 years, Christina Mills Button, who preceded him in death on March 18th, 2018. Al was a loving father to his two children,
Alan was born in Lock Haven, PA on August 24, 1940 to Burdett James Button and Lena Elizabeth Schwenk. He grew up on a farm outside of Howard, PA with his four brothers and one sister. Alan excelled in academics and leadership and became Class President, Mr. High School and Valedictorian at Bald Eagle High School in Bellefonte, PA. He went on to earn a medical technology degree from Carnegie College in Cleveland, OH where he met his future wife Christina Mills, who would go on to earn a BA in Art History and start her own art consulting business.
Alan was inspired to pursue a career in the paper industry by his father, a champion Pennsylvania Tree Farmer. Alan received a B.S. and M.S. from Penn State University in Wood Science and Technology. He went on to earn an M.S. and Ph.D. from the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Paper and Fiber Physics.
Al was a man of science. He developed paper resins for Borden Chemical, taught Wood Science and Technology at Stephen F. Austin State University, led Papermaking Materials R8cD and was Director of Technical Planning for Champion International. Alan also served as Research Leader and Head of the Fiber Lab at Georgia-Pacific.After leaving Georgia-Pacific, Alan founded Buttonwood Consulting where he applied his expertise and experience to advise companies in the paper industry. Along with co-authors, Hiroki Nanko and Dave Hillman, Alan published The World of Market Pulp, a comprehensive guide to the types of market pulps available globally, highlighting their distinct properties, their forest and fiber sources, and qualities for different commercial purposes.
Since 1970, Alan was an active member of TAPPI, a leading paper industry organization. He served for many years as Chairman of Ohio and the Lake States TAPPI, and in 2016 he was honored as the Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member. He was passionate about educating young people about papermaking and was instrumental in establishing the Paper Discovery Center and the Paper Industry Hall of Fame where he served on its Board of Directors for eight years.
He is greatly missed by his loving family and many great friends!
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