Jim was most comfortable in the science classes that were part of his pre-med requirements, but to his credit, he also took classes in literature, art, and philosophy to balance out his scientific studies. Jim was a very serious, well-organized student. When he read a textbook, he highlighted large portions of the text with a wide variety of colored magic markers and special symbols in colored ink. I used to kid him that the few passages in the text that weren't highlighted were perhaps the most important. Jim loved classical music and was serious about his devotional life and his faith. When Jim said he'd do something, you could absolutely count on him to do it.
Jim and Lois met in college. Like Lynn and me, shortly after graduation, Jim and Lois got married. Then they headed for the University of Michigan, where Jim had been accepted into the medical school.
While we stayed in touch over the years, our paths rarely crossed. After Jim completed his medical studies in Michigan and his residency in internal medicine in Denver, Lois and Jim moved to Phoenix, where they would be free of snow and freezing weather.
Jim's career in medicine has reflected many of the dramatic changes that have characterized health care in the U.S. In the past 30 years. Jim worked as a physician with a practice in internal medicine, at an urgent care center, on the staff of a hospice organization, and most recently as a professor in a training program for physician assistants. Along the way, he obtained graduate training in family therapy and worked for a number of years as a family therapist.
Lois is an accomplished water colorist who has received a number of awards in the Phoenix area for her water colors. While we loved her florals and a stunning painting of the Grand Haven Lighthouse, we were amused by one of her more whimsical paintings titled "Triple Sow Cow."
On the back of the painting is this limerick Lois wrote about the painting:
Lois also studies voice and sings in a number of classical musical groups as well as the choir in her church, which she loves and where she has many good friends. Kathy, one of their daughters, is a very accomplished soloist as well. We watched a DVD of her singing a Mozart aria at a recent recital.
On the back of the painting is this limerick Lois wrote about the painting:
Lois also studies voice and sings in a number of classical musical groups as well as the choir in her church, which she loves and where she has many good friends. Kathy, one of their daughters, is a very accomplished soloist as well. We watched a DVD of her singing a Mozart aria at a recent recital.
When Jim and I roomed together in college, we had no idea that he'd wind up in Phoenix and that I'd wind up in Portland. Jim could not have anticipated all of the changes in medicine and health care financing that have shaped his career as a physician.
Despite the turbulence he has faced in his profession and the challenges of raising three children, Jim looks almost the same as he did when we were college roommates more than 45 years ago.
When we were in college, I admired Jim for his faith, his values, his integrity, and his seriousness of purpose. Forty-five years later, these commitments, like Jim's physical appearance, have not changed.
It's easy to make promises about commitments in college. It's another thing to live them out after graduation. Today, I admire Jim not for what he said he would do many years ago, but for living a life consistent with these commitments for more than 45 years.
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