James Lee Nagle

James L. Nagle, "Jim," 83, passed away peacefully on January 19th due to complications from Alziemer's. Beloved husband of 48 years to the late Ann Steinbaugh Nagle; loving father of Kathleen (Ralph Johnson) Nagle and James (Laura) Nagle, Jr.; proud grandfather of Claire Johnson, William and Sophie Nagle. Son of the late George and Kathryn Cochrane Nagle; brother of the late George Nagle Jr. and Susan Nagle Hart. Born in Iowa City, Iowa, Jim received his BA in architecture from Stanford University ('59), where he met and married Ann Steinbaugh. After serving in the US Navy he earned his BArch from MIT ('62) and MArch from Harvard ('64). Prior to moving to Chicago he traveled to the Netherlands on a Fulbright Scholarship to study housing. Jim co-established Booth & Nagle Architects (subsequently Nagle Hartray & Assoc.) in 1966.

Throughout his career Jim provided leadership in the Chicago and national architectural communities through his design, expertise, and contributions to professional organizations, education, and advocacy. In the 1960s he was one of several civic-minded architects who advocated to save the Glessner House and formed the organization that is now the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC). He was part of the group that called themselves the "Chicago Seven" architects that in the 1970s-80s held a series of exhibitions and symposia that challenged the architectural status quo. Jim generously lent his time and expertise to several organizations including: Chicago School of Architecture Foundation (now the CAC), AIA Chicago, National AIA Committee on Design, Chicago Architectural Club, The Graham Foundation, Archeworks, the University Club of Chicago and WBEZ. He taught and lectured at numerous schools of architecture including UIC and IIT and was chair of the Board of Overseers for the IIT College of Architecture. His building designs, particularly housing, received numerous awards over the years. In 2016 Jim and his partner Jack Hartray jointly received the AIA Illinois Gold Medal for outstanding lifetime service. Jim was highly regarded not only for the quality of his design work, but also for his personal and professional integrity and generosity of spirit. It was typical of him that the professional relationships he developed became strong friendships that spanned decades.

Jim loved to share his expertise, whether it was mentoring countless young architects, or teaching his grandchildren how to drive. He was always active in sports, played football into college and later became an avid squash player. He loved the outdoors: horseback riding, duck hunting, kayaking, scuba diving, sailing and fly fishing, and reveled in getting the family to join in. He was never happier than when spending summers in Door County with Ann and their grandchildren.

A memorial will be held when it is safe for friends and family to gather. Donations may be made in his name to the Nagle/Hartray Scholarship at IIT (alumni.iit.edu/give-to-illinois-tech, "in Memory of James Nagle"), AIA Chicago Foundation (aiachicago.org/about/aia-chicago-foundation/), or MetroSquash (metrosquash.org).