James Mason Harper

With love and sorrow, we mourn the sudden passing of Dr. James "Jim" Mason Harper, z"l, at the age of 71 on May 23rd, 2024, after sixteen years of living bravely with PLS.

Raised in Easton, PA, Jim distinguished himself at an early age as a champion swimmer, a talent which he took to Williams College, from which he graduated with honors in 1974 as a four-time All-American athlete, with a pool record in freestyle that stood unbroken for twenty years. He taught both of his daughters to swim before they could walk.

Jim earned his Ph.D in Biostatistics from the University of Pittsburgh, where he met his wife, Jackie. He spent his career with contract research organizations, supporting the development and approval of many new drugs to treat different diseases; he was proud to have been critical to the approval of the first drug to treat ALS, which he eventually benefitted from himself.

With his quiet, gentle demeanor and quick sense of humor, Jim faced every challenge with patience and optimism, whether it was coaching his daughters through learning a new skill-from making pancakes to passing statistics-or adjusting to the changes in his mobility. His face would light up when he was in the water, watching sci-fi shows, telling corny jokes, and eating copious amounts of dessert (especially dark chocolate). He loved his family quietly but fiercely, and they will miss him every day.

Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years, Dr. Jaclyn "Jackie" Biegel; his daughters, Rabbi Vanessa Harper (married to Cantor Joshua Rosenberg) and Marissa Harper (married to Maxwell Newfield); and his sisters, Lynn Quigley (Bruce), Barbara Walter (Frank), and Carol Harper.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim's memory to Williams College, which always held a special place in his heart.