James Ball Obituary

7/31/2013
James Stutsman Ball died peacefully at Intermountain Medical Center of complications from cancer on July, 29th 2013.
He was born in Reno, Nevada on September 13, 1934. He leaves behind Janet O'Hara Ball, his wife of 42 years, his sister Lucy Mish, son Douglas Ball, MD and two stepchildren Beth Franklin, MLA and Chris Pyle MS, grandchildren Griffin and Quinn Franklin and Brendan and Ryan Pyle.
A celebration of his life will be planned at a later date.
James obtained a BS in physics at California Institute of Technology in 1956, and a PhD in physics at the University of California, Berkeley in 1963. From 1963-1968 he was an Associate Professor at University of California, Los Angeles. During his employment at UCLA he was awarded the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan fellowship.
In 1968, Jim became an associate of physics at the University of Utah. Upon retiring, he wrote "I joined the Physics department in 1968. The department had a tradition of using rafting trips (Project Gurgle) as a recruitment tool and my first contact with many members of the department was on a Yampa-Green river trip. One high point of that first visit was crashing the physics chairman's new Toyota Land Cruiser, an event that eventually led to the installation of the present 4-way stop at S.Temple and University."
Aside from his career in physics at the University of Utah, Jim was also involved in International High Energy Particle Theory. He spent sabbaticals working with colleagues in the US and abroad- In Chicago (Fermi lab), Aspen (Aspen Center for Physics) Geneva (CERN), Annecy (LAPP) and Paris (École Polytechnique). Jim also served on the Utah Supercollider Task force in 1986-1987.
In addition to his career, James gained a great deal of personal satisfaction in raising his three children with his wife Janet. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hiking, camping, backpacking, river rafting, skiing and scuba diving. He also enjoyed water- polo, tennis, volleyball and basketball. He was an enthusiastic chef. He was the personification of the cliché "a life well lived" He was a "tilter at windmills," a large presence everywhere he went. He was "not much with a hammer, but a whiz with a nail gun." He was well loved by friends and family, known for both for his acerbic wit and depth of compassion. He was a gentle man.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Aug. 3 to Aug. 4, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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Jim Ball - What a compassionate, hospitable and sharp-witted mentor, colleague and friend! Always there when help was needed. When a faculty meeting had to be brought back on track, when a young colleague broke out of established ways towards an interdisciplinary field - or when a stranded camper had to be pulled out of the mud.  

Always hitting the nail on the head  -  intellectually as well as literally. Though in discussions with Jim- scientific, political, or social - you  didn't want to be using shallow arguments unless you wanted to experience him striking them down, after listening a while, in his forceful, concise, but smiling way.

Jim Ball - indeed a great presence - and a lovable good mensch! 

We are very sad to have lost Jim, but very fortunate to have had a wonderful dinner with him, Janet and the Nebekers just a few weeks before he passed away.

With fond memories,
Franz and Renate Rosenberger

September 2, 2013

The Lutys and the Balls go way back. I remember many camping and river trips our families did together, especially an epic road trip to Baja California. Jim was always great with us kids, and his enthusiasm for everything was infectious. In Baja, he once dove for abalone, cut the living flesh out of the shell, and put it in my mouth. I bit down and tasted the sea. It was a taste of life itself, and that is what I think of when I think of Jim.

Markus Luty

August 30, 2013

As Mark often remarks, "Jim was a character", and I agree, not many people like him have graced our lives so fully in so many ways.
We met Jim & Janet through our kids playing together at school and across the street on 10th Ave. When they heard my former husband Dave Breckon and I were planning a Baja drive trip, we were invited to our first fantastic 4-5 course french meal at their home (with wine pairings.) That started a shared trip to Baja over Christmas with the most amazing camping sites and food, fresh margaritas and fresh scorpions during wood gathering. It's a trip our children and I shall never forget. When they went to CERN, our daughter Leslie accompanied them to help w/their kids. What a lasting impact she had with them skiing, cooking, touring.
Thankfully, Janet and Jim have shared their lives w/ours, both helped us plan wonderful trips abroad, advised & coached Mark's daughter Buffy on her college graduation trip through Europe and more recently accompanied Mark and me to tennis matches in Indian Palms CA. Jim is always up for the latest adventure and Janet his perfect mate and companion makes it happen. I trust his latest adventure is addressing the world's challenges from afar through his indomitable ENERGY. Jim always demonstrated such compassion to friends during illnesses or hard times. We'll all be there for Janet as she also embarks on her new life adventures. Fine memories are still to be made. Our girls join us in sending condolences to Janet and their wonderful kids. A great loss, less fun in conversations without Jim! Luv, Freddie & Mark Nebeker

Freddie & Mark Nebeker

August 30, 2013

How wonderful to get to read what people who've known Jim and Janet for many years have thought. I just met them two years ago, for feasting and conversation. I am so glad that I had the chance to know Jim and I look forward to seeing more of Janet. Thank you for wild mushrooms and astonishing blue eyes and grace in meeting any situation.

Karen Mottola

August 5, 2013

Our heartfelt condolences -- we loved the couple James and Janet, admired Jim's talents as physicist, chef and (from afar!) his prowesses as outdoorsman. He will be greatly missed by many including the undersigned.

Daniel & Noémi Mattis

August 4, 2013

I joined the Physics faculty of the University of Utah in 1978. Jim was instrumental in bringing Laurel and me to that job at a time when academic jobs were especially scarce.

Jim and Janet were enthusiastic about outdoor recreation. They introduced us to powder skiing and took us in tow on a couple of camping trips to show us how easily accessible Utah's magnificent back country was. Their dog and ours became fast friends on those outings. I can recall one that our golden retriever enjoyed so much, he came home with a sore tail from too much wagging. Jim showed us a hidden entry into Coyote Gulch at a time when dogs were allowed to hike there.

Professionally, Jim was an excellent colleague and companion -- one who enjoyed bouncing ideas back and forth.

Everyone who knows Jim and Janet know their fame as superb chefs and impeccable hosts. It was always a special treat to be invited to their home and table.

Jim lived his life to the fullest. We will miss him dearly.

Carleton DeTar

August 4, 2013

Jim was a great man. My thoughts are with Janet and family.

Tony Knowlton

August 4, 2013

Jim and I had many outdoor (deer hunting, duck hunting, fishing) experiences together, particularly during Jim's early years at the U of Utah.

Perhaps the most memorable experience was when he and I were deer hunting in the Abajo Mountains in SE Utah in the early 1970s. Jim shot his deer early and a little while later saw a gigantic buck in a deep hollow, which he decided to shoot for me. We then spent the next 2 days removing this huge deer and getting it back to the car!

I will always remember Jim with great fondness and am already missing him!

David Ailion

August 4, 2013

JIm was a great friend with boundless energy for everything he did. When I became a faculty member at the University of Utah Department of Physics, Jim was one of the first to welcome me and provide guidance. He was a great skier and we spent many happy times at Alta with his visiting colleagues from Fermilab and CERN. He was a key leader in the establishment and growth of the international reputation of the Physics Department as well as a true gem of a person. Thanks for being there when we needed you...We will all miss you Jim!

On behalf of
The Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

Dave Kieda
Dean, The Graduate School
University of Utah

August 4, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with you Janet.
Franci Gillmor

August 3, 2013

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