James Michel WHALEN

WHALEN, JOHNSON, HORNBOSTEL, KENDRICK, BIDINI, FORD, GREEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/9/2007 at 20:03:23

HILTON HEAD, S.C. — James Michel Whalen, born on Lincoln’s birthday, Feb. 12, 1926, died from complications of advanced cancer Feb. 22, 2007, in Hilton Head. Jim was a devoted husband to Judith Johnson Whalen of Bluffton, S.C., and Chicago; and father of James E.Whalen of San Diego, Thomas F. Whalen of Northbrook, Ill., and Mary C. Hornbostel of Sacramento, Calif.; and loving stepfather to David H. Kendrick of Bluffton, S.C., and Lisa M. Kendrick of Grosse Ile, Mich. He also left behind two wonderful daughters-in-law, Lisa Bidini Kendrick and Beth Whalen. He was the doting grandfather of nine children in California, Illinois, Michigan and South Carolina. Jim was also survived by his former spouse, Gloria D. Whalen, of Sarasota, Fla.

His birthplace was Eagle Grove, Iowa, where he was the only son of James Edwin and Charlotte Ford Whalen, and a brother to the late Jean Green and the uncle of three. He was proud of his service in World War II as a young Navy pilot. Jim graduated from Iowa State University in 1948 with a degree in mechanical engineering, the start of an enormously productive and creative career which continued until literally the day of his death. Author of two major refrigeration system patents, he ran several companies until his “retirement” and subsequent founding of a consulting engineering firm. He liked to say he was the oldest living engineer, and was respected throughout his industry, mentoring many, many promising engineers and managers in his no-nonsense, but nurturing, style. Jim had several clergymen and women in his extended family, including the president of the University of Notre Dame, and was very proud of his Irish-Catholic heritage. He enjoyed the good times he had as a member of the Chicago Athletic Association. He was good at golf and the unusual sport of curling in his younger days, and later in life traveled extensively over the world with his wife and partner in exploration, Judy. She expanded his cultural horizons far beyond the monastic world of engineering, enjoying music, art and theater festivals all over North America and beyond. Jim was a person of abiding love, true modesty and consideration, and hid a sensitive and caring nature beneath his sometimes gruff personality. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him well.

After a small family gathering in South Carolina, a memorial service is being planned in the Chicago area. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlain, S.D. (www.stjo.org), providing Lakota children a loving home and a good Christian education with sensitivity to their Sioux culture. Any other inquiries may be directed to son, Jim Whalen at james@jwhalen.net. Cremation is by Sauls Funeral Home, Bluffton.

Copyright © The La Crosse Tribune, WI
March 1, 2007