Dr. James Scheiman

Dr. James Scheiman, age 96, passed peacefully in his sleep at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. James was born on September 26, 1927 in Cleveland Ohio and is now back in the arms of his loving wife of 65 years, Jennie, whom he lost in 2017. He was also preceded in death by one son, Joseph Scheiman, and is survived by his remaining six children, Jerome Scheiman of Jacksonville FL, John Robert Scheiman and wife Susan Scheiman of Elizabethton TN, Joan Scheiman Smithey of Jacksonville FL, Jeffrey Scheiman and wife Debbie Scheiman of Smithfield VA, Janet Scheiman Blankenship of Whitesburg TN, and Julie Scheiman Hale and husband Alan Hale of Normandy TN. He is also survived by 14 loving grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, three brothers and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. After graduating from Ohio State University with a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1951, James moved to St Louis to work for McDonald Douglas aircraft, where he met Jennie, the love of his life. He was then called upon to fulfill his commission with the military, and entered the US Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. After completing his active-duty commitment, James continued his military service for another 10 years in the reserves, attaining the rank of captain, while now working on helicopter design for the Department of Defense in the Aeronautical Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson. He later transferred to NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia where he continued his schooling, receiving his Masters of Science degree in Engineering Mechanics at Virginia Tech in 1969 and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Engineering Mechanics at Virginia Tech in 1972. His research projects at NASA included research and testing on the Space Shuttle. He retired from NASA in 1984. James resided in Jacksonville with his daughter Joan for the past 15 years. While living in Hampton, VA, James was active with the Boy Scouts, served as Water Safety Chairman and Instructor for the American Red Cross, and served in several ministries as a member of St Joseph Catholic Church. James was a loving husband, father and grandfather who was always available to help with car repairs, home building projects and anything mechanical, and made it a priority to attend graduations, weddings, and births for all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was blessed to be very active in the lives of his grandchildren was also able to spend time with all 17 of his great-grandchildren. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed. A celebration of James's life was held with a Catholic Mass in Jacksonville FL with interment immediately following at Jacksonville National Cemetery on November 28, 2023. Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry.