James Batcheller

1943 - 2017

James Batcheller, of Fairbanks and Henderson, Nevada, passed away Feb. 20, 2017, of natural causes.
Born on July 1, 1943, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Jim lived an active, productive and fulfilling life. Jim was a member of Princeton University's undefeated 1964 football team. He was an osteopath, psychiatrist, pilot, aircraft owner and CEO of Ocelot Airways, SCUBA diver, parachutist, big game hunter, scourge of the IRS, restless world traveler and sometimes "street person."
An Army field surgeon and veteran of the Gulf War, upon retirement, Jim returned to medical school to study psychiatry and after a second residency, actively worked another medical practice in civilian life. Even his locum tenens medical jobs were an adventure, with many of them worked in the California prison systems. Jim's post-retirement work served to accommodate his lifelong interest in hunting, fishing, worldwide traveling and family. 
Christian, conservative and intellectually engaged, Jim would eagerly and aggressively hold forth on a variety of subjects, sharing his own analyses and daring opponents to voice an alternative opinion. He was not fun to argue with.
Jim immensely enjoyed the Alaska outdoors, making many solo expeditions to various remote Alaska locations to pursue big game, as well as hunting with friends and outfitters across Alaska. He was very proud of his adventures, and the trophy animals he harvested were fully utilized. Jim was a life member of the Alaska Trappers Association and rarely missed a meeting if he was in town at the time. 
He is survived by two brothers and a host of cousins, nephews and nieces. A memorial service and burial will be conducted July 1 in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts.