Dr. James J. Wert

Dr. James J. Wert

- - James J. Wert, son of James Lewis Wert and Bernice Walker Hartung, was born on a farm near Prairie Farm, Barron County, Wisconsin., the sixth child of 10. He was the grandson of James Lewis Wert, a Civil War veteran. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jane Thornton Wert; son, Thaddeus Thornton Wert and daugher-in-law Ann Boger Wert; daughter, Melissa Jane Wert; granddaughters, Anna Claire Wert and Mildred Grace Wert; sister, Darlene Hartung Schmidt; and many nieces and nephews.

After serving in the artillery in the Korean War, he returned to the University of Wisconsin in Madison and graduated with a Master of Metallurgical Engineering degree. He attended Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh on a Westinghouse Fellowship where he had two patents for nuclear fuels used for reactors on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. He returned to the University of Wisconsin, where he earned his doctorate. After a brief sojourn in industry, he decided his real love was teaching, and he joined the faculty of the Engineering School at Vanderbilt University, where he developed the Department of Materials Science serving as its chairman, and later served as chairman of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. During his tenure at Vanderbilt University, he had the pleasure of over 95 master's and doctoral students under his tutelage, and their success was his greatest reward.

In 1974, he was a visiting professor at Jesus College at Cambridge University in Cambridge, England. In 1984, he was a Fulbright Professor at the University of Damascus, Aleppo University in Syria and the American University in Cairo, Egypt.

For 20 odd years, he was an ABET visitor to universities around the United States to review their engineering schools for accreditation. One of the most enjoyable tasks he undertook was to be the academic adviser to the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter on Vanderbilt's campus. He served as secretary of the Faculty Senate at Vanderbilt and was chairman of the National Organization of Department Heads of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering.

While at Vanderbilt University, he received the Tau Beta Pi Teaching Award three times and was named an Outstanding Educator in America. He was made a fellow of the American Society of Materials and a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, awarded the Outstanding Graduate of the Metallurgy Department at the University of Wisconsin, and given an award for Outstanding Contributions in Tribology Research. He retired as a professor emeritus from Vanderbilt University and as the George H. Sloan Distinguished Professor in 1997. He continued his work through a consulting firm, James Wert and Associates, which functioned until 2010.

As a resident of Forest Hills, he served as mayor of that city for six years.

He joined Calvary United Methodist Church in 1963 and became a member of the Encounter Class, where he enjoyed participating in the lively discussions and the lifelong fellowship with the other members.

Jim was a gardener, a golfer, a sailor, and an avid reader. He enjoyed world travel and the many friendships along life's way. His entire adult life was devoted to his family, which was his dearest love.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 16 at Calvary United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN. Visitation from 1 - 3 p.m. in the Masters Common at the church.

Remembrances may be made to Friends' Life (friendslife.org), the organization which has broadened the horizon of Anna Claire, or Alive Hospice.

The family would like to thank Alive Hospice, the staff at Richland Place, and his caregivers.