James Herlinger

James Everett Herlinger

Resident of Woodside, CA

Born September 18, 1940, in San Jose, Jim died peacefully September 21, 2010, after a determined but losing struggle with cancer. In the days preceding his passing, he was surrounded by many loving friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Marsha, daughter Lindsay Herlinger, sister Jane Swenson, brother David, and grandson Nils Aberger. Jim lived most of his life in Palo Alto and surrounding communities.

Jim's 1963 Stanford University degree in mechanical engineering led to a variety of engineering jobs on his way to management positions. Jim got an "ideal job" early in his career with Ford Motor's High Performance Division in Dearborn, Michigan, a position that combined his engineering expertise with his love of cars and racing. Jim later worked at Hewlett Packard, was president of DEKA, vice president at Plantronics, and a senior executive at Crystallume Inc. and Silicon Valley Group (SVG), prior to becoming co-founder and CEO/Chairman of sp3 in 1993, where he continued until his untimely passing.

Jim lived life to the fullest, a life that always seemed to involve things that went fast. His interest in racing was generated early, when the family sat in front of the radio listening to the Indianapolis 500. He bought his first car, a Model A, when he was just 13, and he owned countless motorcycles and cars of all descriptions. Beginning with a SCCA drivers' school in the mid-60s and a Porsche Speedster in the Detroit area, he raced with great success for many years in a variety of fast and unique cars and off-road motorcycles. In the process he developed deep and long friendships with fellow racers and his always loyal and dedicated pit crews. Jim competed in the first Baja 1000 and many other off-road endurance races in automobiles and on motorcycles. His cars were not only fast, but well-restored, sometimes with the help of his brother David, and won both Concours d'Elegance awards and racing trophies. Jim was an enthusiastic skier, wind-surfer, water skier, and an excellent sailor in his boat on the San Francisco Bay.

An avid traveler and reader, Jim traveled much of the world, and was knowledgeable on many subjects. He loved good conversation, interesting, funny stories, and was a bit of a raconteur himself. His caring, his wit, his intelligence and insight, and his exuberance for life will be missed by all who knew him.

Memorial services will be private. Remembrance donations may be made to USC Westside Prostate Cancer Center, 8900 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.