Jim, aged 98, died at Crofton Manor Care Home Wednesday, April 15th, after a short illness. Jim was born in Vancouver, but from the age of four lived on Quadra Island until he left home to take wireless operator training in Vancouver at the outbreak of WWII.
When the war ended, Jim attended the University of Toronto where he received a BA.Sc, and MA.Sc in Chemical Engineering.
His first job was as a bioengineer at Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital. He went to work at the University of California, Berkeley, then to Winnipeg, and finally in 1971 to the University of British Columbia where he worked until his retirement in 1986. In 2005, Jim was awarded an honorary D.Sc. at Queen’s University for his lifetime's work in engineering, prosthetics, orthotics, and teaching.
Jim was a lifelong learner, philosopher and visionary. He was an accomplished painter, he built a stone house on Quadra Island, he wrote books, and in his final years he wrote an opera.
Jim leaves four children, Heather, Michael, Ernie and Peter, 9 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. Michael remembers Jim's fathering energy being shared with many others including neighborhood kids, children's friends, foster children, and many of his colleagues and protégés. Jim will be greatly missed by his family and all his many friends for his wit, wisdom, and generous warmth. Family and friends enjoyed time with Jim, exploring the creative possibilities and wonders of life, art and community.
In remembering Jim, we also remember Jim’s loving partner in life for 46 years, Margaret McPhee. Margaret passed away courageously from cancer in July 2018.
The following is an excerpt from the Convocation speech Jim gave to the graduating students when he accepted his honorary D.Sc. at Queen’s University:
"From my amateur interests in philosophy, psychology, physiology, sociology, biology, anatomy, anthropology, history, and economics – as well as science, engineering, architecture, and art – and manual skills – I have learned to be sympathetic toward all life. Protect the planet. Defend it from irresponsible behavior. It is the only planet for which we are designed and the only one humans will ever inhabit.
“Our species is totally responsible for all our actions because we think.
“Mahatma Gandhi taught passive resistance to negative forces. Martin Luther King demanded freedom from tyrannies. Nelson Mandela preaches reconciliation.
“Declare that we will make the world community the best we can without violence or coercion, in cooperation with other.
“If you are besieged by messages you don’t understand, ask yourself these simple questions in view of the tempers of our times, Who gains? Who loses? Then, act in a way that is fair and equitable for yourself and others.
“Blood is spilled in what some claim are sacred acts. I say sacred acts are never harmful or destructive. This Convocation is, by my definition, an example of a sacred act. Its human and constructive nature can be felt.
“Among the students, associates, researchers, and teachers of this university are the positive thinkers who will become new heroes. Cherish and protect them.
“Modern communication and transportation systems seem to unite time and space. The moment we live in is real, the past immutable, the future a dream, space a conundrum and chaos the norm. Order gained from chaos is fragile and crumbling. The only purpose is the one we make. Goodwill between us is the highest achievement in our efforts to improve conditions around us, a beautiful and fulfilling reward.
“I accept this honor with pleasure and remind you that it is better to be acknowledged than to be remembered!”
Please visit http://www.jamesfoort.com to view Jim’s artwork, sculptures, and opera.