Jim Withington, born March 30, 1920, passed away in the early morning hours of July 28, 2009. The life he led was fuller than any could hope, and could not be had for any amount of riches. The heavy load he carried for others throughout his life has been lifted, and those of us who he carried so selflessly on his shoulders can only repay him by making ourselves worthy of his commitment and passing his gifts on to others. Jim lived in every corner of the country and saw some of the last century’s greatest events. Jim graduated from Phillips-Exeter Academy and attended Tufts University. He worked at the MIT Wind Tunnel and Boston’s Logan Field early in his career. He served as a B-29 Crew Chief in the Philippines in the 1940s and then returned to Boeing where he worked for 36 years at Boeing as a senior engineer on some of their most important programs, including the Saturn V, 747, 737, 727, 707, KC-135 and YC-14. After retiring he ranched in Montana and farmed in Oregon. He was an avid sailboat racer, skier, fisherman, private aircraft pilot and was always looking to the next horizon.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Liz, son Jim and his wife Lisa with their two children, James and Lauren. His brother, Bob, was also a lifetime Boeing man, and lives in the Seattle area with his wife Betsy and their children Vince, Tori, Martin, Holden and their families. Although in later years he outlived many of his friends, we are pleased to know that he is back in their company. He is enormously missed and cherished.
It was always a pleasure to visit you and Jim, and later Jimmy, whether in the Washington area, or outside Glacier Park in Montana, or on your farm in Roseburg, or the hinterlands of Albuquerque, New Mexico and then again in Florida. Wow!
Also, the times we spent in Glacier, especially hiking into Glacier chalet together, or driving for groceries for the Bottomly reunion, are great memories.
You and Jim created memories in your own lives, but also in the lives of your family.
We will miss him. Lots of love, Phyllis
Love and condolences to Liz, Jim, Lisa and the grandchildren.
From Forbes and Jerri
love and hugs to you, Liz and all the family. Irene Bottomly
In later years, we corresponded with each other and kept up with each other's families. We also bonded politically, even exchanging letters of outrage on this or that subject. Needless to say, our letters brought much needed changes in the nation's political scene.
Along with his son Jim and his family, we enjoyed a number of visits of Jim and Liz to the Washington area. It was delightful to reminisce about the past. More recently, I talked with him about our 70th reunion in June at Exeter. Unfortunately, he could not go, but his best friend and roomate there, Johhny Benson, attended and we exchanged memories about Jim and the school, which has changed greatly in many ways. In fact, I had been intending to send him a personal report about the reunion but never got around to doing it in time, which I greatly regret.
Although Jim has reached the end of the road, he still lives in the best sense through his son Jim and his lovely family in the Washington area. Young Jim is a fine example of humanity, a reflection of all the outstanding qualities of his father and mother. Ruth and I have lost a good friend but feel that we have gained others in son Jim, his wife Lisa and their two children.
Our sympathies go to alll who were touched by Jim Withington, especially his widow, Liz.
Ted Rowse