Jon worked in all aspects of processing and sanitation. He developed educational programs for Bonewitz Chemicals, Henkel Food Division and Ecolab. His workshops included not only the basics of HACCP development, but also developing and maintaining the “precursory” programs, as Jon called them. Recently, Jon helped develop workshops in Argentina with the Food Science Department of Purdue University and the University of Arkansas. It was as part of this group that he became known as one of the “Four Wiseman.”

Jon developed HACCP plans and worked with me for many years, sharing his knowledge of food safety and HACCP through my consulting firm. Along with workshops on HACCP, he led prerequisite programs onchemistry of cleaning and sanitizing, current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs), problem solving and many more. Jon was adjunct professor in the Center of Excellence at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Jon experienced many challenges with his health in recent years, but he kept teaching and sharing his wealth of knowledge. This past summer, Jon finally had to give up his love of travel and teaching because the state of his health was taking its toll. His teaching touched so many over the years. Here are some of those comments:
“Jon taught me through his experiences with food safety and sanitation, but also the pleasures of life itself. He was a great teacher. My favorite professional memory of Jon is being a part of the ‘Four Wiseman’ teaching team in New Zealand. Along with three other colleagues, we traveled that great country working with the poultry industry. A favorite personal memory of Jon occurred at the end of nearly every day when Jon found a comfortable spot, poured himself a glass of brandy, and told great stories. Jon Porter was a mentor, colleague, and grand friend. So grab a glass of brandy and toast a great man!”

— Rich Linton, professor, Purdue University
(West Lafayette, Ind.)
“Jon was a smart, humorous, hard-working, talented, engaging gentleman who loved teaching and sharing his knowledge of life – both from personal experiences and from his impressive professional career. He is respected by all those who have had the pleasure of knowing him.”

— Mara Beck-Rinnemaki, project manager, Wixon, Inc.
(St. Francis, Wis.)
“I knew Jon for only a few years, but feel like I have known him for a lifetime. That is the kind of guy that Jon was. He was a very warm, caring, thoughtful person and always willing to help his students in any way that he could. He was a world of knowledge, and just being around him, I felt that I could learn so many things. Jon was an excellent mentor who knew his business —HACCP and sanitation. His positive outlook on life amazed everyone. In addition to learning a lot from him, Jon was fun to be around. He always had something positive to say.”

— Joe DeLeon, president, Beverage Innovations, Inc.
(Elmhurst, Ill.)
“Jon Porter — the true father of HACCP. His genuine, caring nature always showed through. I only knew him for a short time, but he was a person who enters your life and immediately makes a difference. Jon Porter, you are and will always be an inspiration and a manifestation of God’s love.”

— Holly Petty, Ph.D. student, University of Florida – Gainesville
“I still recall my sanitation and safety training provided by Jon nearly 15 years ago. I’ll never forget those sessions where he used ‘Ziggy’ to demonstrate the ‘bad guy, bacteria.’ There are thousands of people out there doing their best to provide the safest and highest quality food because of Jon’s teaching. He wasn’t just a great teacher … he gifted us with his knowledge, humor and profound love of humanity. Most impressive is his vast experience in the food industry; he didn’t just know the answers. He was familiar with so many processes in the manufacturing of foods, etc. He was like having a personal HACCP guru. When Jon was around, you just wanted to become a sponge so you could soak up everything he had to teach you. Jon didn’t just know something from a book; he also knew it intimately from his years of hands-on experience. How fortunate I am to have been a recipient of his gifts of knowledge and friendship.”
— Jade Piearson, executive assistant/program director,
D.L. Newslow & Associates, Inc. (Orlando, Fla.)

“Although I regrettably only spent one week under Jon’s teachings, it only took one day to realize he was one of a kind. He is one of the most intellectual people I have ever met, yet he could still connect with everyone in the classroom. He listens to the students just as much as he teaches them, and that is priceless. I feel bad for the future students that will not have the opportunity to experience Jon’s exceptional knowledge and caring for each and every student.”
— Jason Ray, purchasing manager, Chenango Valley Pet Foods
(Sherburne, N.Y.)

“When I first met Jon, I was impressed by his warm personality. He was a marvel at citing specific paragraphs of the FDA laws, while putting a realistic spin on the meanings of these complicated articles. Jon brought wisdom and friendship to all he taught, and I for one, am lucky to have had the opportunity to experience this. My life is richer and more informed because of Jon Porter.”

— Peter Hopps, director technical services, global licensing, Sunkist (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
“Jon helped us tremendously in the development and implementation of our HACCP program. He brought to the workshop a vast amount of knowledge on the subject applying his experience to every company that was represented. Jon went far above his duties, even though one could see that he was hurting. It is a rare person that is able to teach what he knows. His personality kept the course interesting while we attentively waited to see what else he would present. I will miss the opportunities to learn more from him.”

— Clare Adderley-Sands, assistant quality control manager,
Bacardi & Company, Ltd. (Nassau, Bahamas)
“Jon Porter was clear and fluent in lecturing and a master in explaining fundamentals of food safety and HACCP in a manner that is practical and applicable to food manufacturing plants.”

— Reza Ghaedian, vice president,-science and technology,
Decas Cranberry Products, Inc. (Carver, Mass. )

“I was blessed to have the opportunity to get to know Jon over the past year. Jon was a great teacher. He was able to share with me an abundance of his knowledge and for that I will be eternally grateful. I am a better person for having known Jon, learned from Jon, and been able to call him ‘friend.’ Jon was a wonderful man who touched many lives. Thank you Jon Porter for all that you have given to us, your humble students.”
— Laura Roberts, executive assistant, Tropical Paradise
Beverages, Inc. (Orlando, Fla.)

“It must have been hard for Jon to sit through those long grueling sessions. But when you are passionate about what you do and believe in it, it seems that the strength comes to you when you need it. I certainly learned a lot from Jon and will always appreciate having had him share his knowledge and foresight.”
— Ken Salman, QA manager, Cleveland Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc.
(Cleveland, Ohio)

“Jon epitomizes the title of ‘gentle giant’ in such a way that none can match. Jon’s teaching was filled not only with a deep knowledge of the food industry, but also anecdotes for the sake of not only entertaining, but to drive the point he wished to make. He sought to give to each person listening not only information, but experiential guidance which will not easily be forgotten. Jon was the quintessential teacher and purveyor of knowledge. Jon was an easygoing person, an attentive listener, a deep thinker, an expert in his field, an icon to the industry, a warm, beautiful person, a fighter… an achiever, a champion, a pioneer, and a giant. He will be sorely missed by many, me included.”

— Yvette Sands, vice president, technology, Bacardi & Company, Ltd. (Nassau, Bahamas)

“Jon was a wonderful friend and mentor to me. Jon taught me so much about the value of food safety. He helped me implement my HACCP plan for my company, teaching us the skills and sharing his knowledge of HACCP. Jon will always be my inspiration and mentor. He made learning fun and interesting by sharing his practical experience. My lasting remembrance of Jon will be not only his incredible expertise and teaching skills, but most of all his love and dedication to his family, friends and students.”
— Nancy McDonald, president, M & M Consulting &
Laboratory, Inc. / Tropical Paradise Beverages, Inc. (Orlando, Fla.)