James Richard "Jim" Arvo

I just ran across a reference to Jim's work today, on normalizing the Phong model. He lives on in my memory as a nice person doing great work.

I learned of Jim's raytracing work as an undergrad in Germany before I came to the US. It was unreal to have him as one of my teachers at Caltech. He left for Irvine and unfortunately contact faded. I kept thinking of Jim from time to time. So sad to learn now of this news to me. My belated condolences to Erin, Julian, Carol, Nancy, and his family. Jim was a wonderful human, a great researcher and teacher. I miss him.

I was thinking about Jim again just last week. Someone asked a technical question about early ray tracing research, and Jim would have been the person I would have asked. I miss him.

I was shocked to hear the sad news of Jim's passing. I am so sorry for his family. -Bob Grainger (San Antonio, Tx)

I hadn't heard from Jim in a few months, so I found this shocking information after searching through Facebook - Although the world knew him as Jim Arvo, I knew him as Jamie Arvo, for I knew him since we were in 7th grade at old Fuhrmann Junior High School - Jamie and I were in many upper level classes together at Fuhrmann and old Warren High School - he played violin in the orchestra and I played alto sax/bassoon in the band. He was a great person and will be missed by all!

I am so sorry to read this. I worked with Jim on two CGI movies at Apollo computer in the 1980's. I am a designer with zero understanding of most things tech, and yet Jim showed great patience and humor when working all those long hours, and with the help of many others, we turned out some pretty nice work.
He was a wonderful man.

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Jim's passing. He was one of those people you couldn't help but admire. Brilliant and personable at the same time, he had almost infinite patience in explaining things and sharing his joy of knowledge and discovery. He advanced the field of computer graphics immensely, and will be sorely missed by our community. My deepest condolences to his family.

We so fondly remember your visits to us with Erin and Julian; our trips to the "beach" at Winding Trails and outings to the latest and greatest local Japanese restaurant. Julian, your Dad was so proud of you and loved you so much, it showed in everything he did and said. You have a wonderful foundation from him and your Mom; we will watch you grow up as their remarkable son.
Our deepest sympathies and love to Erin and Julian,
Ellie, Larry, Emily and Hannah (the bee girls) Pareles...

I knew Jim in a rather irreverent way: I came to Yale long after he'd left for Cornell, yet I completed my PhD there before he did his.

I enjoyed giving him a hard time about this for years. We always had some good laughs together, despite his formidable demeanor.