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W. James Obituary
Raised in Doylestown, he received his undergraduate degree at Princeton University. During the Korean conflict, he graduated from the Army Language School in Monterey, CA, and served in Europe as a U.S. Air Force Russian-language specialist. For a number of years he was employed as a teacher and educator in New Hampshire and Vermont.
Returning to Bucks County, PA in 1969, he worked as a copy-editor, historical researcher, and realtor. There also, he initiated a full-time cultural enrichment program that became a model for retirement communities throughout the country.
He retired to Providence in 1994, where he continued his research at Brown University. For several years he conducted architectural and historic walking tours for the Providence Walking Company.
Mr. James edited and published two books: Keen of Philadelphia, the collected memoirs of his great-grandfather and namesake, the eminent American surgeon, W. W. Keen; and Stoopnagle's Tale is Twisted: Spoonerisms Run Amok, a humorous collection of fables and fairy tales. He was an ardent traveler, student of languages, and lover of classical music (especially Mozart) and the arts.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Connor James; daughters Linda Moes of Vermilion, OH, Michele Wagner of Lorain, OH, and Sarah James of Bear, DE; son Geoffrey of Arlington, VA; brothers Wynne James III, of Bethesda, MD, Thomas James of Doylestown, and Roger Crouthamel of Langhorne, PA; sisters Virginia V. Hlavsa of Kingston, NY, Lisa James Otto of Doylestown, Mary Crouthamel-Lane of Valley Springs, CA, and Lee James Reichert of Mechanicsville, PA; grandsons Nathaniel Moes and Owen James.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 29th at the Providence Friends Meeting, 99 Morris Avenue, Providence. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated to the American Friends Service Committee for hurricane relief, or to another charity of your choice
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Memories and Condolences
for W. James
2 Entries
Audrey Craig
September 30, 2005
Dear kathy, I was so sorry to hear of Keen's death. He was such an interesting man and a wonderful story teller. I will never forget my first meeting with him when I made a Welcome to Highland Falls vist. We talked of teaching, math, books and a shared passion for S.J. Perelman. I remember thinking how lucky we all were to have him as a neighbor. Though our paths did not cross often, when they did it was always with pleasure. Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss. Audrey Craig
Doris & David Bridgehouse
September 29, 2005
Dear Kathy,
I had a pumpkin muffin yesterday and it brought back wonderful memories of Keen. We shared many muffins but most of all we shared time together. He was special and I will always remember him. I considered him a dear friend and a mentor. He helped me be more than I was. Our sympathy is with you.
Doris and David Bridgehouse
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