BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS – Jim, 82, died June 4, 2013, in Brownsville, Texas. He is survived by wife, Jane; daughters, Betty (Gary) Maffei and Carol Ann (Dave Brown) Van Valkenburgh; grandkids, Michelle, Kevin and Keith Maffei, Diane and Adam Brown; sister, Kay Birkmaier; and extended family and friends.
Truly unique man, eclectic interests included nature (NARFE, retired PQ Inspector), stocks, genealogy (NAVVF), cross country trips home to NE, life long learning! BS in Entomology, Masters in Teaching, proud Army ROTC Corporal. Altruism stretched wide – individuals; organizations; life National Geographic; charter Smithsonian NAMI and MLK; MOMA; CWPT; former schools Unquowa, Mount Herman, Roger Ludlow, UConn, UMaine, Columbia Teachers College. Miraculously survived gunshot age six, lived full life. Recent symptoms resembling Parkinson’s and ALS ensued – all my systems are failing. Eternally grateful to Dr. Ann McKee and everyone at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) BU School of Medicine accepting Dad’s brain – his last wish/legacy! In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to CSTE to celebrate his remarkable life!
Specify donations to The Trustees of Boston University to Support the CSTE. Mail to Mr. Lawrence Crimmins, BU School of Medicine, Office of Development, 72 E. Concord St., L219, Boston, MA 02118.
A memorial will be held 11 a.m. Oct. 19, at UCC in Devon, 30 Ormond St., Milford, Conn.
James Morgan Van Valkenburgh
