James "Jim" Utterback

James "Jim" Utterback passed away peacefully in his home in Newburyport, MA on September 14 at the age of 83. Jim inspired many people throughout his remarkable life as a loving husband, father, and grandfather; international scholar and professor; mineral collector, amateur astronomer, and history enthusiast; dedicated community member, and philanthropist. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Peggy; sister Dorothy Magliocca and her son Andrew; daughter Camille Utterback and son-in-law Brett Bowman; son Matthew Utterback and daughter-in-law Danielle Stillman and their children Leila and Yasmine. Jim was preceded in death by his sister Marian Martin, whose daughter Dawn Pastorius sadly passed away this month shortly after Jim.

Jim was born in Monterey, California, in 1941 to Lt. Col. Gene Utterback and Helen (Pieniadz) Utterback. Gene was training at nearby Fort Ord, about to be deployed to the South Pacific. Jim's early years were shaped by his father’s military service, with his family moving frequently between multiple US states for different posts. Jim carried vivid memories of the years when his family was stationed in post-WWII Germany during the Marshall Plan.

Jim met the love of his life, Peggy (Nichols), at Northwestern University, where he earned a BS and then an MS in industrial engineering in 1965. Jim and Peggy married in 1966 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, beginning a partnership that would span six decades. Together they relocated to Cambridge, MA to attend graduate school. Jim earned his PhD in industrial management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1968. Shortly after, he began his career as a professor at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, where Camille and Matthew were born. The family moved back to New England in 1974 when Jim accepted a position at MIT, where he would spend the rest of his career.

Over nearly five decades as a faculty member at MIT, Jim built a distinguished academic career studying technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategic management. His research explored how patterns of technological innovation emerge and evolve, and his landmark work on “dominant designs" in the evolution of industries and technologies remains foundational for generations of scholars and practitioners. His 1994 book, Mastering the Dynamics of Innovation, synthesized decades of careful study examining how technology, industry structure, and organizational change are related. Jim’s research took him across the globe—to Sweden, England, Japan, Brazil, and China. His detailed study of Swedish entrepreneurship earned him election to the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in 1999. Jim was named Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2013 for his "distinguished contributions to the fields of technological and scientific innovation in engineering and industry through his longtime leadership efforts in research, teaching, and technology." As a professor, Jim loved teaching his students and conducting research with close colleagues. His prolific European collaborations led him to be awarded two honorary doctorates: from Chalmers University of Technology (1997) and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (2012). He was also elected a Life Member of Clare Hall, University of Cambridge (2007).

Jim was deeply grateful to the generous scholarships and fellowships that facilitated his education and he endeavored to similarly open doors for others. With Peggy, he enthusiastically supported numerous philanthropic causes, including BEADS Tembea High School, a STEM focused girls school in Kenya, Africa, and an MIT Sloan School of Management doctoral student fellowship.

For over 28 years, Jim cherished his life in Newburyport. His membership in the Tuesday Night Club brought him great joy and camaraderie, and he was a longtime member of the Belleville Congregational Church. He delighted in the town's beautiful architecture and rich role in early American history, enthusiastically exploring local restaurants and shops. The boardwalks and beaches of Plum Island were a beloved retreat. In his last days, Jim enjoyed outdoor visits with friends in Peggy's lovingly tended garden. Jim will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues and former students both near and far.

SERVICES: A public celebration of Jim’s life followed by a reception will be held on Saturday November 8th at 2pm in the Steeple Hall at Mission Oak Grill, 26 Green St, Newburyport, MA. All are welcome. RSVPs appreciated at bit.ly/JMU-RSVP.