James Teevan

James Foster Teevan

92, of San Mateo, died at his home on Sunday, August 4. Son of John Charles and Gertrude Battjes Teevan, he was born in Chicago, Illinois and lived in Hillsborough from 1960 to 2002.
Jim Teevan attended Lake Forest Academy in Evanston, IL and graduated from Yale University, where he was on the swim team in its heyday. He enlisted as an ordnance officer in the Navy in 1943, stationed at Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland. Mr. Teevan worked at American Seating Company in Grand Rapids Michigan for 12 years before turning to management consulting, which he engaged in at Cresap, McCormick and Paget and Arthur D. Little, and then for 18 years as James Teevan Associates.

In 1944, Jim Teevan married Sally Ripley, whom he'd met on a Lake Michigan beach. They lived in Michigan until 1960 where they raised three children: the late James Ripley Teevan; and Susan Penelope Teevan and Kelly Teevan, who survive him.

After Sally's death in 1990, Jim married Jeanne Roberts Hopper. They enjoyed two great family-filled decades on the Peninsula, with 18 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Jim is also survived by Jeanne and her children: Marshall Hopper, Dana Habegger, Kimberly Hopper, and Charlie Hopper, as well as by several Teevan, Ripley, and Gross nieces and nephews. Jim's late brother was John Montague Teevan of Chicago.

Mr. Teevan was active in the community-including serving on the board of the San Mateo County Medical Center, gardening with buddies at Filoli, teaching Sunday School at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, and even recently serving as treasurer of the Stratford residence. He belonged to the Hillsborough Racquet Club and the Burlingame Country Club, where he enjoyed conversation, bridge, golf, music, and dancing among friends. His enjoyment of time with friends and his devotion to the activities and well-being of his extensive family truly capture the spirit of Jim Teevan.

Dad, aka Grandpa, aka Jim, you were a cheerful, smart, classy, gentle, inclusive, and humorous man. We all will miss you.

A Memorial Service will be at St. Matthews Episcopal Church at El Camino and Baldwin in San Mateo on Saturday, September 7 at 11 AM. Donations in Jim's memory may be made to Filoli in Woodside CA.