James Batdorf

Jim was born on June 13, 1957, to Oscar and Helen Batdorf. He would always laugh at the fact that he was born in the Hinsdale Sanitarium, in Hinsdale, IL, and wonder about his inauspicious beginning. His family moved to Idaho Falls, ID when Jim was 15 years old. That was a tough time for him, but it helped him become the gritty, persevering man that he was.

He attended the University of Idaho where he received his Bachelors, Masters, and PhD degrees in chemical engineering and met Kathy Harrison. Jim and Kathy married in 1980. When Kathy finished her DVM degree in 1984 they moved back to Idaho Falls, where he worked for EG&G Idaho, Haz Answers, and SAIC in the field of plasma technology.

He commenced an entirely different kind of education when he and Kathy bought an old decrepit farmhouse. He learned how to be a plumber; electrician; painter; roofer; how to use a blowtorch to thaw the frozen well; mend fences; and the joys of flood irrigation, septic tanks, and drain fields. Although it wasn't much fun, he never regretted the lessons learned, but they sure were expensive!

His son Michael was born in 1986 and daughters Karin and Laura in 1988 and 1992, respectively. His children were the stars in his eyes. He taught himself the intricacies of The Beautiful Game to become a youth soccer coach and led both Michael's and Karin's teams for many years. The family moved to Kennewick, WA in 2001. Laura spent years in gymnastics and her dad was her greatest supporter, even when he could hardly watch.

Jim worked at Inentec in Richland, WA, again in the field of plasma technology and hazardous waste management. He loved the intellectual challenges of his work but was frustrated by the financial difficulties of commercial technology development. After he left Inentec he embarked on a new career path to become a master distiller at Solar Spirits Distillery. He was fascinated by the chemistry of turning wheat and cranberries into vodka, gin, and whiskey. He frequently asked Kathy to taste-test new spirit samples at home. She never did warm up to vodka, but he sure made a mean gin and whiskey! As with the old farmhouse, Jim accepted the challenge, and through his persistence and curiosity he truly became a master distiller.

Jim enjoyed camping, hiking, and travelling. He climbed the Grand Teton to celebrate his 40th birthday, though he said once was enough! He was a great hiking companion, especially when things got tough - his soft words of encouragement helped people (especially his wife!) up and over many a mountain pass. This included getting Kathy to the top of a very foggy Ben Nevis in Scotland, down multiple cliff descents into Beaver Falls in Havasu Canyon, back up from the bottom of the Grand Canyon three times, eight days along the John Muir Trail, traversing the Inca Trail in Peru; and ascending Angel's Landing in Zion. His favorite travel destination was the Dolomites in Italy. Jim rediscovered his love for fly fishing several years ago and spent many often frustrating, but rewarding, hours on the Yakima river.

Since Jim had become an expert in old home remodeling, his services were much in demand for his children's homes. His children knew that if ever something needed to get done, to just call Dad. He particularly enjoyed working with his daughter Karin on her fixer-upper property, learned tile removal and crown molding at Laura's house, and tackled Mike's 100-year old home. Helping his children was so gratifying to him, however, when we moved to Spokane he wanted a newly constructed home with no issues, and his wife is forever grateful!

After much soul-searching, Jim and Kathy made the decision to retire and move to Spokane in June 2022. They moved into their house on June 15th and he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer on June 20th. Their lives and plans for the future were turned upside down. He began treatment with the hopes of gaining a year or two, but unfortunately he had a very aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. There was happiness mixed with the tears when we learned that we would be blessed with the births of two granddaughters in the spring of 2023. Jim wanted to meet them so much, but it was not to be. In November he was able to do his bucket list trip to Tahiti, which was bittersweet because we knew it was his last hurrah.

Jim reached the end of his trail here on earth on December 13, 2022. He died peacefully in his sleep, in the arms of his soulmate, Kathy.

Jim was the kindest, nicest man. All of us in his family feel so privileged to have had him in our lives - we will strive to emulate his kindness and understanding nature. He will always be with us in our hearts. A private family service will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory can be made to the Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.