In Memoriam — Nutrition Pioneer D.K. Salunkhe Dies

Dr. D.K. "Chip" Salunkhe, a pioneering food scientist and founding member of Utah State University's Nutrition and Food Sciences and Technology Department, died Monday, Aug. 8, 2005. He was 79. He joined the faculty of what was then the Utah State Agricultural College and the Department of Horticulture in 1953 and served until his retirement in 1986, when he became an emeritus professor of nutrition and food science.

 

It was in 1960 that professor Salunkhe formed the interdepartmental program in food science and technology and served as its first chair for eight years. The program evolved into what is now the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences and Technology.

 

In 1963 Dr. Salunkhe, along with researchers G.G. Watters, D.H. Taylor and Joseph Do, released a Horticulture Experiment Station publication "Fruit Juice Powders — Another Outlet for Utah Fruit." The paper detailed efforts to change natural fruit juices into reconstitutible powder. This research led others to the development of Tang, an orange drink mix that accompanied astronauts into space is found on shelves around the world. He served on the advisory committee for the International Congress of Food Science and Technology, and was an adviser to the Food Science Labs for the U.S. Army and worked on food related research projects for the Army and NASA. He developed some of the first "meals in a tube" by using food paste, tested at home with family members. Eventually, the meals took flight with the Mercury astronauts.

According to his obituary, Dr. Salunkhe guided 85 post graduate students from all over the world and the United States in advanced degrees. Several post-doctoral and visiting scientists spent time in his laboratories conducting research. He authored more than 500 scientific papers, book chapters and reviews, and wrote more than 26 text and reference books.

 

In the later stages of his career he also contributed his time and considerable talents to his homeland of India in the educational arena. During his tenure in India he served as a member of several national boards and committees.

 

Dr. Salunkhe's family suggests donations in his memory to a charity of choice.