James Archer Prentice

James Archer Prentice Austin - James Archer Prentice - physician, community servant, and cherished husband, father and grandfather - died on May 19, 2023 in Austin, TX from ALS. He was a rare combination of dignified and humorous: he was a connoisseur of classical music and comic strips; he excelled at correcting grammar but was quick with a joke. Above all, he believed in helping others and led by example.

Jim was born on January 22, 1937 to schoolteacher parents Mildred and Noble Prentice. He attended Austin public schools, graduating from Austin High School in 1955. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1958, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha and the Texas Cowboys. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1962.

Jim's medical training and early career took him to Connecticut and Washington, DC, where he served in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps, doing his anesthesiology residency at Bethesda Naval Medical Center and Yale-New Haven Medical Center, then to the USAF Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base, MD.

While on a visit back to Austin in 1963, Jim was invited to be the escort of Austin Aqua Festival Duchess Linda Gilbert. This began a long-distance courtship and grew into a life-long partnership. Jim and Linda were married in 1967 in Austin, and Linda then joined Jim in Alexandria, VA, where she attended medical school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. while Jim continued his service as an anesthesiologist in the Air Force, retiring in 1970 with the rank of Major.

Jim and Linda moved to Rochester MN in 1970 where Jim joined the staff of Mayo Clinic and Linda completed her training in pediatrics and endocrinology. By the time they left Rochester to return to Austin in 1978, their family included their three children, Alexandra, Laura and James. Upon their return to Austin, Jim joined Austin Anesthesiology Group and practiced there until his retirement in 2002.

In addition to enjoying a satisfying career, Jim was devoted to helping others, volunteering with many organizations. He followed his passion for the arts: he was the longest serving member of the Paramount Theatre Board (1979-2006) and served as its president in 1986. He was an active member of the Austin Symphony Orchestra Board for almost 40 years (1982-2019). He and Linda endowed a chair in the violin section at the Austin Symphony, and they gave generously to the building of the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Jim also was a founding member of the Board of Umlauf Sculpture Garden and The New Texas Festival (now Conspirare).

Jim was passionate about the University of Texas. For thirty years he served on the UT College of Natural Sciences Advisory Council (1991-2021), including a term as its chairman, during which he raised over $1M for the College's Dean's discretionary fund by doggedly pursuing potential donors. Jim was a member of The UT Commission of 125 and a member of board of The University of Texas Foundation (2006-2021), serving as president of the Foundation from 2017 to 2019. He and Linda recently endowed a scholarship in Biology in the College of Natural Sciences.

Jim was president of the Travis County Medical Society and served on the Board of Directors of Texas Medical Association Foundation, including two terms as treasurer. He made several medical mission trips with Austin Smiles to El Salvador to provide anesthesia for children in need of cleft lip and palate repair. He engaged in some of his most impactful work with St. David's (Community Health) Foundation Board from 2003 until 2021, making several hundred site visits in preparation for grant support of many health agencies in Central Texas. Jim also was active in his church, serving on the Vestry of St. David's Episcopal Church, on the Board of St. David's Episcopal Church Foundation, including as board president, and as an usher for forty years.

Jim believed his most significant contribution to society was the family he and Linda created and were so proud of. Jim loved hosting large family gatherings and in later years, his favorite family times were being with Linda and their children and grandchildren at their vacation home on Lake LBJ. He was a loyal friend and stayed in touch with scores of people he met over the course of his life, and reveled in traveling with friends. He will be remembered for his wry sense of humor, his warmth, and as the sender of cartoons and old photographs.

Jim is survived by his wife and best friend, Linda Gilbert Prentice, M.D., who faithfully and lovingly oversaw his care though a long and difficult illness, his daughters Alexandra Saenz (Paul) and Laura Masters (Joseph), and his son James Gilbert Prentice, his seven grandchildren, and by his sisters, Sharon Eisenberg and Linda Dill, and many other relatives.

He wanted to thank all his ALS caregivers for their dedication to him, especially Ross Lohmann, Uzziah Rodriguez, Michael Bailey, Joe Davis, Sylvia Salinas, Mayra Gomez, Brittany Whitaker, and Krystal Hess.

Memorials may be made to the "Drs. James A. & Linda Gilbert Prentice Scholarship in Biology" in the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Texas or to the ALS Association, 2301 W. Anderson Ln, Austin, TX 78757.

A funeral service will be Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 3pm at St. David's Episcopal Church, 301 E. 8th St, Austin, TX 78701.