Obituary for James Augustus "Jim-Jim" Schmalz Jr.
James Augustus Schmalz, Jr. – or “Jim-Jim” to his grandkids – of University City, unexpectedly passed peacefully at home on the evening of Saturday, August 27th, at the age of 78. He is survived by wife of 52 years, Su; his “F1 generation”: daughter Naomi Schmalz (husband Jesse Davis), and son Tim Schmalz (wife Emily Anstoetter); and his “F2 generation”: Cara and Milo. He is preceded by his father, step-mother, mother, and eldest son Steven Jacob Schmalz, who passed on September 16, 1992.
Born April 29, 1944 in Honeoye Fall, NY, “Little Jim” was raised by his father, “Big Jim”, step-mother, and half-brothers around the country and world, but was centered in western Massachusetts. After Vietnam-era service as a Marine aviator, he earned his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and began his engineering career in St. Louis. With his professional engineering license and a master’s in biotechnology, he formed his own pharmaceutical engineering consulting practice. He spent 13 years teaching technical writing at Washington University in St. Louis before retiring to Virginia’s Northern Neck in 2004. There, with his wife, he gardened, kept bees, and continued to serve those in need in his community.
In 2018, he and Su returned to St. Louis to live closer to his beloved grandchildren Cara and Milo, with whom he spent countless hours teaching the children to play cards, watching cartoons and sumo wrestling, and exploring all aspects of childhood together. Jim established hives at The Green Center in University City, became an avid beer- and winemaker, and maintained his perfect record at Final Jeopardy. In the year before his death, he took several classes through University College at Washington University, including courses in literature and grant writing, with plans to take psychology and forensic courses in the coming semesters.
He was an adamant cheerleader for his family and friends, even if his celebrations were modest. His kindness, generosity, and ability to talk at length on any subject with anyone will be deeply missed by all that came into contact with him. The list of people on the receiving end of his mentorship, counsel, and proofreading services is endless… and no doubt, their lives are better for it. Whether he was nose-deep in a book, in the cockpit of a plane, or doing crosswords with his grandkids, he worked tirelessly to make the world a better place for as many people as he could.
Services will be held on Saturday, September 10 at 10 a.m. at Lupton Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Green Center in University City (thegreencenter.org), where Jim loved to volunteer as an educator and beekeeper.
Born April 29, 1944 in Honeoye Fall, NY, “Little Jim” was raised by his father, “Big Jim”, step-mother, and half-brothers around the country and world, but was centered in western Massachusetts. After Vietnam-era service as a Marine aviator, he earned his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and began his engineering career in St. Louis. With his professional engineering license and a master’s in biotechnology, he formed his own pharmaceutical engineering consulting practice. He spent 13 years teaching technical writing at Washington University in St. Louis before retiring to Virginia’s Northern Neck in 2004. There, with his wife, he gardened, kept bees, and continued to serve those in need in his community.
In 2018, he and Su returned to St. Louis to live closer to his beloved grandchildren Cara and Milo, with whom he spent countless hours teaching the children to play cards, watching cartoons and sumo wrestling, and exploring all aspects of childhood together. Jim established hives at The Green Center in University City, became an avid beer- and winemaker, and maintained his perfect record at Final Jeopardy. In the year before his death, he took several classes through University College at Washington University, including courses in literature and grant writing, with plans to take psychology and forensic courses in the coming semesters.
He was an adamant cheerleader for his family and friends, even if his celebrations were modest. His kindness, generosity, and ability to talk at length on any subject with anyone will be deeply missed by all that came into contact with him. The list of people on the receiving end of his mentorship, counsel, and proofreading services is endless… and no doubt, their lives are better for it. Whether he was nose-deep in a book, in the cockpit of a plane, or doing crosswords with his grandkids, he worked tirelessly to make the world a better place for as many people as he could.
Services will be held on Saturday, September 10 at 10 a.m. at Lupton Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Green Center in University City (thegreencenter.org), where Jim loved to volunteer as an educator and beekeeper.