James Everett Smith, of Basin Point in Harpswell, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, Feb. 11. Jim was born on July 17, 1943, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Belva (Stoltz) Smith and Harold F. Smith.
He grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, and graduated from East High School in 1961. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 1965 and a doctorate in inorganic chemistry from the University of Washington in 1969, followed by postdoctoral studies at Michigan State University (1969-70), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1970-71) and Boston University School of Management (1979).
Jim enjoyed his career as a research scientist with numerous positions in research and development, primarily in the area of in-vivo diagnostic imaging agents used in cardiology and neurology. He worked at Union Carbide from 1971-79, New England Nuclear from 1979-82, and DuPont (later DuPont/Merck) from 1982-94. He began JES Consulting in 1995, working with many startup companies on similar research and Food and Drug Administration proposals before returning to full-time work at EPIX Medical.
Jim has served on various committees of the National Academy of Sciences, the Nuclear Medical Technician Committee at Salem State College, and the Organizing Committee for the High Country Nuclear Medicine Meetings.
Jim has always loved the out-of-doors: camping, hiking, skiing, sailing or just splitting wood. He met his life partner, Ruth (Meikle) Smith, at Westchester Skiers in 1971 and they celebrated 44 years of marriage last Aug. 25.
Their greatest joy was sailing, starting with a Cal 20 and working up to a Ranger 26, a Sabre 34 and finally a beautiful Morris 40. From home ports in Rowayton, Connecticut, and then Harpswell, they sailed all the coast of Long Island Sound and Maine and made extended cruises of up to nine months to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Chesapeake, the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
Jim was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Thomas and Bill. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; brother-in-law, John Meikle and wife Sammie, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida; sister-in-law, Kathy Smith, of Chula Vista, California; nephews, David Smith and wife Cindy, of Chula Vista, California, Eric Meikle and wife Carrie, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and Charles Meikle, of Jacksonville, Florida; great-niece, Grace Meikle; and great-nephews, Zane Meikle, Will Smith and Thomas Smith. He also had a special place in his heart for pets, a few of which were Squeaky, a squirrel; Streak, a black Lab; two cats, Grabbatz and Mizzen; and everyone else’s visiting pets.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be planned for later this year. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, of Brunswick, or the Elijah Kellogg Church, of Harpswell.
To offer condolences and share fond memories, please visit brackettfh.com to view Jim’s online memorial.
