James-Dalen-Obituary

James E, MD Dalen

Tucson, Arizona

Apr 1, 1932 – Jan 16, 2024

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BORN
April 1, 1932
DIED
January 16, 2024
LOCATION
Tucson, Arizona

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James E. Dalen, MD, 91, of Oro Valley, Arizona, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2024. Dr. Dalen retired from the University of Arizona in 2001 after serving as Dean of the College of Medicine for thirteen years and as Vice President for Health Sciences for seven years. He is survived by...

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There's not A single time, but a huge stream of consciousness about Jim's positive influence and heart felt support that made my way in medicine at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital at Harvard medical School and University of Massachusetts Medical School UMMS. Jim and I were founding faculty at UMMS. Jim was not only my mentor but my closest personal friend during our memorable tenure at UMMS. He and our mentor Dr. Lewis Dexter were extended family for which I am eternally grateful! Jim, may...

Dr. Dalen was Chair of Medicine when I began my career at UMass Medical School. He was, and for many of us remains, the absolute paradigm of a what a chair should be. His leadership skills, his judgment, his medical knowledge, his humility, and his humor made working for him a privilege. Jim inspired great loyalty from his faculty, not in small part because he was so loyal to us. He will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to Priscilla on her loss.

My first memory of Dr Dalen is when I sideswiped his car in his driveway in Southborough with my snow plow. Circa 1980. I was visiting Jim on one of our breaks from U of Mass and cut too early backing out of the driveway. Dr. Dalen was very understanding! I hadn't seen him in decades, but my thoughts are with your family. Bubba

Jim and Angel, I just wanted to share my condolences with you for the loss of your father. I am sorry that I am not able to be there for the services today but know that both of you are in my thoughts today.

Jim was a most special man. Brilliant. Sensitive.Caring. One of the best raconteurs ever. His willingness to listen and ability to communicate set him apart. He was a wonderful friend who I will miss forever. I am so lucky to have known him.

Jim was the first dean to welcome us to the UA as the Dean of Fine Arts. He served as my friend and mentor for the past 33 years. We had many good times together and lots of laughs. Our wives were the best of friends who bonded through their Boston accents. Jim was a great story teller and he will be missed

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

He and I were amongst the first faculty at UMass Medical School. During rounds one morning, he delivered a medical pearl (bit of medical wisdom) to the group of residents and medical students. A skeptical resident questioned the veracity of Dr. Dalen's statement and asked him to cite or show him a written reference to validate what Dalen had said. Jim grabbed a note page and wrote what he had just said, and showed it to the resident. "Now," he said, "here is the written source. Any other...

He and Lewis Dexter were the center of cardiology at the Peter Bent Brigham when I was accepted as a fellow in their lab. That was the pivotal moment in my career as physician and cardiologist. I owe them so much! Dear Priscilla, Angela, and Jim Jr. all my love and in a traditional Greek wish at such a time: may Jim's "memory be eternal!" "Aionía e Mními." Love from one of Jim's many disciples, John