James R. Maggart

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James Maggart Obituary

James R. Maggart
International educator and retired Head of School James R. Maggart, age 81, of Hamden, CT, passed away peacefully on November 19, surrounded by his loving family. From his early years on a small farm near Burley, Idaho, education determined Jim's path in the world. A natural leader and fun-loving scholar-athlete at Burley High School ('57), Jim lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and tennis, earning both a National Merit scholarship and a basketball scholarship to Northwestern University. He began his undergraduate studies in electrical engineering and later completed a BA in mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1965. Starting as a math teacher and basketball coach at Skyline High School in Oakland, CA, Jim's love of learning and teaching led him to an MAT at Brown University and an MBA at Stanford University. From there he pursued educational administration in the United States and abroad.
He made a significant and lasting impact on the three institutions where he served as Head: Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey; St. John's School in Houston, TX; and Hamden Hall Country Day School in Hamden, CT. At each, Jim left a legacy of academic excellence, technological innovation, financial stability, and strong programs in arts and athletics. He believed in encouraging and supporting women both as leaders and athletes. At Robert College in Istanbul, along with his appointment of women to key school positions, he started the first girls' basketball team and led them to a Turkish national championship. He was a consummate teacher and coach who is remembered above all for his patience, encouragement, and calm guidance. Jim passed his rich experiences and perspectives on to generations of educators he mentored, including his three children, and to the schools he advised all over our world. As Board Chair of Robert College and The Country School, a partner at Educators' Collaborative, and a leader in international school accreditations for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Jim worked and volunteered to improve the lives of countless students and educators. He was always trusted for his gentle honesty, sensible counsel, good humor, and warm, steady presence. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his students and special joy in their athletic success, as well as in the many connections he maintained with dedicated colleagues over the years.
Much as he loved his profession, nothing was more important to Jim than family. While working a summer job in California during college, he met his future wife Kaye, who was the love of his life for 60 years. They shared a common path in teaching, a passion for international adventure, and a lasting devotion to their children and grandchildren. In his later years, Jim became an avid woodworker, creating segmented bowls and heirloom furniture that fill the homes of his family and their summer house in New Hampshire. These offer enduring reminders of his talent, quiet humility, and generous affection. In addition to his wife, Kaye, Jim is survived by his three children: Stephanie Johnson (Philip) of Guilford, CT; Michael Maggart of Austin, TX; and Aylin Flanagan (Michael) of Winchester, MA; as well as his sister, Carol Wilson (Arthur) of Portland, OR; and his five grandchildren: Hannah Martin (Niall), Sarah and Wiley Johnson, and Liam and Brendan Flanagan. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions in Jim's memory to the James R. Maggart Scholarship Fund at Hamden Hall, Smilow Cancer Hospital of Yale New Haven Health, or a charity or school of your choice.
James R. Maggart Scholarship Fund, Hamden Hall Country Day School, 1108 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT 06517 https://www.hamdenhall.org/giving/give-today orYale New Haven Hospital, Office of Development, PO Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508-9979, Phone: 203-688-9644Email: [email protected] https://www.givetoynhh.org/ The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue have been entrusted with the arrangements. www.northhvenfuneral.com

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Published by The New Haven Register on Nov. 24, 2021.

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George A. Colburn

November 29, 2021

I always wished I'd live long enough to beat Jim at singles tennis and one-on-one b-ball. Gawd, he was one tough opponent. I played rec basketball with him one year and his group of really good players. I am not sure how that happened, but in one game Jim and the others got me the ball enough that I scored 20 points. A truly great moment for me in my limited sporting life.

And I cannot play him one on none now, I am almost 84 and out of action - permanently. But, there was always the Jim Maggart smile and compliment on my play afterwards....and I shall keep those visuals with me.
Totally undeserved, I might add. And he knew it. but it came through as the "real thing" because he meant it.
And you knew it....Strange fellow, eh?

After our two years of being post-collegiate "jocks" in the Walnut Creek, CA area for 2 1/2 years. we met infrequently over the decades that followed. Where did that time go?

Each time we got together there was no time gap involved. We took up where we left off....after counting the kids and grandkids, etc. We met in London where I worked from time to time..K and Jim were on their way to Turkey with a kid on their back. What years was that...late 70s, early 80s? It doesn't matter. And how did we manage that rendezvous in the era before cell phones, etc,.? But we did, and then for the next dozen years I did not manage to get to Turkey for a visit despite all their invitations. A huge mistake! We then met post-Turkey at their other career stops where we always played tennis and shot some hoops. He stayed good; I worked hard to get a new, but average skill set of running hook shots.... In my mind, I was Joe Rucklick, a teammate of Jim's at Northwestern. Only I was 6-2 and Joe, with the world's smoothest hook shot, was 6-9.Much to my chagrin.

Jim was one of the "great guys" in my life, and I shall never forget him. Memorable, I might say
One remembrance: Summer of 1961 or 1962 on a summer afternoon at the baseball field next to the Walnut Creek Rec Center. I had a great hitting day, and during a late-inning rally I came roaring home in a cloud of dirt and dust. On the ground after being called "safe," I was satisfied....and I felt like staying on my back for a while. But, there was Jim hovering over me with his hand stretched out to help me up...and as stared at him quizzically, he said, "No, don't stay there, George, you don't want to give anyone the impression that you're tired!"

Puzzled by his words - even tho I was tired - I let him help me up....with a smile, of course. Sixty years later I can see him leaning over me with that perpetual smile....and I still wonder what prompted him to make that effort to save me from embarrassment of some kind that he believed was out there somewhere and could be harmful somehow to our efforts on the diamond.

R.I.P. Jim. I shall miss the thought that you are out there somewhere waiting for me to show up and take a good whopping from you on the courts we loved so much. I always thought...."one day, I will get him." It was a vital part of my ongoing life story...and I am so sad to see it end. Thanks for the happy memories.
Your good friend, George

Roxie Allen

November 27, 2021

I remember meeting Mr. Maggart when I interviewed at St. John's in 1990. As a young and inexperienced public school teacher, I was so nervous! He was very kind, allaying my fears. I was thrilled when he offered me a job teaching chemistry. While I only worked with him for one year, I remember his gentle demeanor and friendly smile as he encouraged me during my first year there. Now I'm in my 32 year of teaching at SJS. I am so thankful to Jim for hiring me and helping me find my life passion. My condolences to the whole family.

Diana Ekizian

November 26, 2021

I will always remember Headmaster Maggart at St. John´s School in Houston, Texas as an inspirational educator and school leader. I as a volunteer mother initially taught Basic Programming with Mr. Maggart for the initial year. A wonderful teacher and mentor. For the next three years he passed the computer programming reigns to me. We will always have fond memories of Mr. Maggart. Parent of (David 1990) and Michael (1991) St John´s School

George B. Murr. Esq.

November 26, 2021

Mr. Maggart was our headmaster when I graduated from at St. John's School in Houston, Texas. He was, indeed, always trusted for his gentle honesty, sensible counsel, good humor, and warm, steady presence. I echo these words and amplify the sentiment. He will be remembered fondly and missed greatly.

Martha Childress

November 26, 2021

Jim Maggart was my first headmaster to work for at St. John's School in Houston, Texas, beginning in 1981, also his first year at the school. As a math teacher and college counselor, I had the privilege of knowing his wife, Kaye, as well as teaching his children--Stephanie, Aylin, and Mike. Both of his girls were babysitters to my two children, and I worked with Mike when he came back to SJS to teach math. Jim was a fine man and a true gentleman, always ready with a supportive word, and he valued the teachers and staff who worked for him. I remember him sitting at the faculty tables at lunch almost every day; he enjoyed the camaraderie of educators, and he had a wonderful sense of humor. He was truly a "school man," and I am blessed to have known him.

Michael Whitlock

November 26, 2021

Mr. Maggart was always kind to me when attended and graduated from St. John's. He even remebered, and spoke well of and to me when he visited Trinity University while I was an undergraduate student at that college. Rest in peace, Mr. Maggart.

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