James Noyes

1927 - 2018

James Noyes obituary, 1927-2018, San Francisco, CA

James Noyes Obituary

James Hoyt Noyes

March 29, 1927 - April 18, 2018

James Hoyt Noyes passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home in San Francisco, CA the morning of April 18th. A third generation Californian, Jim grew up riding horses with his brother Stan through the plum orchards and vineyards in the Napa Valley. Summers were split between working at the family lumberyard in Napa and leading horse trips in the mountains near Glenbrook, Nevada on the shores of lake Tahoe.
Jim attended the Thacher School in Ojai, California and served his country in the United States Navy. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at Yale University and a Masters degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley.
His higher education also took him to Allahabad University in India where he studied philosophy, travelled widely and had the great honor of a private meeting with the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Upon his return Jim moved to Washington, DC where he met the love of his life, a recent arrival from war torn Europe, Izabella Mycielska. Their adventures together began when they moved to Damascus, Syria where Jim became the Director for Syria for AMIDEAST. While in Syria, they welcomed their two oldest sons, James and Nicholas. After their return to San Francisco, Jim was offered a position with the Asia Foundation and the family was off to Sri Lanka with a brand new baby boy Philip.
The family returned to San Francisco and soon after moved to Washington D.C., where Jim was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Near Eastern, African and South Asian Affairs (International Security Affairs).
Upon his return to San Francisco Jim was named Visiting Senior Fellow at the Institute of International Studies, University of California, Berkeley and later became a Research Fellow at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University where he wrote, edited, lectured and consulted on Middle Eastern affairs. His book "The Clouded Lens" has been widely cited for it's in–depth analysis of U.S. strategic interests in Southwest Asia.
In their later years, Jim and Izabella split their time between San Francisco and their turn of the century apple farm in Occidental, CA. Jim was as comfortable meeting heads of state as he was tending to his orchard on his John Deere tractor. His keen intellect, dry humor, honor and kindness will be sorely missed.
Jim is survived by his wife Izabella, sons James, Nicholas and Philip, daughter in laws Kate Stenberg and Lisa Noyes and his grandchildren Lily and Ryder Noyes.
The family will be having a private memorial.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Apr. 23 to Apr. 24, 2018.
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6 Entries

My name is Ken Crafford and I met the Noyes family on the first day I arrived with my family in Sri Lanka. My father worked for Asia Foundation helping build out university graduate programs. I have many fond memories of the entire Noyes family and great times at their home in Colombo. I was closest in age to James and Nicholas and have wondered what happened to them after Sri Lanka. It looks like we all ended up in Northern California. My deepest condolences for your loss.

April 23, 2020

i was a neighbopr at mt wolf..and stopped by often for stories and friendship..few people are as good as he was esp under adverse conditions.i miss him greatly.. i did not meet many family but was at a couple of his gatherings..i wish his traveling spirit well and all loved by him.

vince segura

April 18, 2020

Bye Jim Noyes.. "Birdman". I'm sorry I just missed reconnecting with you. We will all miss you greatly. Love Vince segura Innuit brother

Vince Segura

April 19, 2019

Dear Izabella and family,

I just found out that you lost your dear husband and father a few months ago. I am so deeply and sincerely sorry for your loss. I will always remember Jim as an absolutely delightful, erudite gentleman with a lovely heart and an unforgettable wit.

You may recall that I met Jim with the Louisa Davies Firehouse "gang" several years ago. I was a long time friend of the late Francesco Latini, who for a few years, recruited me as sommelier for the group. I also had the pleasure of meeting you several times, most memorably the evening I showed up on your doorstep because the GG had been closed as I was on my way home to Sonoma. You and your husband were so kind - you invited me in for dinner and provided such a lovely and comfortable bed for me to stay the night.

Please know that Jim, you, and you entire family are in my prayers.

Elizabeth Skemp

October 7, 2018

I met Jim in Occidental in the late 80s, at the family place there. He struck me as smart, friendly and very patient with some of our silly stories! I'm glad to see he had a good, long life. Sorry to see news of his passing, and hope everyone is well.

Andrew Porterfield

July 9, 2018

Memories of interacting with Mr. Noyes during my youth generate these thoughts: respect, kindness, and the empathy that he extended to everyone. His unique qualities will be cherished by all that shared time with him. Thank you, James, for sharing your wonderful qualities with all of us.

Morgan Rosenbach

April 28, 2018

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