1922
Dr. Lister is born in Brooklyn, New York to James Alan and Georgana Martha Lister.
1943
Dr. Lister receives a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University, and joins the General Foods Corp. in Hoboken, New Jersey, becoming Assistant Laboratory Director and eventually Divisional Research Manager.
1944
Dr. Lister serves as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II, with duty in the United States, the Western Pacific area, and Japan. He is released from active duty with the rank of Lieutenant (j.g.) in 1946.
1947
Dr. Lister receives a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University.
1952
Dr. Lister becomes certified in food technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
1962
Dr. Lister joins Nestle Foods Corp. He served as a Consultant for Nestle in White Plains, New York, and at their office in Geneva, Switzerland. He was responsible for external matters affecting Nestle, including regulatory and government affairs, and eventually became Vice President of Corporate Affairs.
1968
Dr. Lister becomes Chairman of the Standards and Regulations Committee of the National Coffee Association. He is also named Man of the Year by the Baldwin Republican Club.
1969
Dr. Lister, while employed at Nestle, works with NASA on space feeding and provides food products for every one of the early American manned space flights.
1972
Dr. Lister joins the Technical Committee of the Chocolate Manufacturer Association in McLean, Virginia.
1973
Dr. Lister is presented with an honorary doctorate from the National Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers.
1975
Dr. Lister is elected Chairman of the Board of Health of Nassau County, a position he held for 30 years.
1979
Dr. Lister is appointed President of the International Hydrolyzed Protein Council in Washington, D.C.
1980
Dr. Lister joins the U.S. Tea Association in New York City, New York and is appointed Chairman of the Technical Standards Committee, becomes a member of the Board of Directors, and in 1990, fills the position of Executive Director.
1985
Dr. Lister is appointed Chairman Emeritus of the International Division of the Institute of Food Technologists.
1987
Dr. Lister joins the Government Relations Committee of the International Bottled Water Association.
1988
Dr. Lister becomes a trustee of the Cacao Biogenetic Research Project at Pennsylvania State University.
1989
Dr. Lister continues to be a Consultant in the food industry for Nestle.
1990
Dr. Lister marries Doris Ann Jonassen.
1998
Dr. Lister is presented with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Hofstra University.
2000
Dr. Lister is named New York Senior Citizen of the Year in Nassau County, New York.