James Kitchin

Kitchin, James W. (Kitch)

James (Jim or Kitch) Kitchin, 85, a retired 27-year career Army Signal Officer, and 44 year "native" of Northern Virginia, passed away due to complications related to a recent stroke and heart attack, on February 15, 2014 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Jim, born March 7, originally from Neenah WI, graduated from Neenah High School in 1946 and then went on to attend Lawrence University (WI), graduating in 1951, where he earned a BS degree in Economics and Chemistry, joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and played on the tennis team. His career path changed after enlisting in the Army due to the Korean War.

Married in Ft Hood, TX, to his sweetheart, Ellen Goeser from Menasha WI, he oversaw the ROTC classes and taught military history at the Univ. of Cincinnati, served in SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) in the late 50's, obtained his MBA at Univ. of Arizona in Tucson, led a support team in Ethiopia, and served as commander at Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam in '71. Earning a Top Secret Clearance, Jim completed his military career in the Army Material Command (DARCOM) Project Management office in No. Virginia where they retired. He then went on to join Universal Systems Inc (USI) which later became Hadron, Inc as Specialist Manager for the US Customs Service on various projects.

Along the way, Jim served as PTA President/Vice President in Alexandria, VA and was nominated to a 4-year term on the Fairfax County School Board in the 80's- leading the idea to create Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST),now considered one of the top high schools in the country. He served as Rover and Election Official in Fairfax County precinct in the 00's. Jim also served for many years on the board of his homeowners association in various capacities including President, Vice President and Architectural Chair. Additionally, Jim taught several logistics courses at the Univ. of Virginia, was a member of Society of Logistics Engineers (SOLE) and a dedicated civil war and train enthusiast.

The last of 6 children, Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Ellen (Goeser), his parents James R. and Elda (Lang) Kitchin, brothers Ken, Arnold, Lawrence and sisters Katherine Laemmrich and Marion Ludwig. He is survived by his daughter, Jane (Kitchin) Terlion and son-in-law Daniel Terlion of Pittsburgh, PA, along with extended family and friends. A memorial service and burial will be held in April at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans or Boys' & Girls' Brigade, Neenah, WI.