I was honored to work with Jim in the late 1970s and early 1980s when he served Alpha Chi National College Honor Society as a regional officer and then as national vice president and president. He was a gracious, warm gentleman with a servant heart, and his contributions to Alpha Chi advanced the organization on its way to its 100th anniversary, observed in this very year. As a former executive director of Alpha Chi, I and the current executive director, Lara Noah, offer the society's sincere condolences on his passing.

I had the privilege of working with Jim at the University of Iowa for a number of years, both in research and in teaching, when we were instructors in the Cytogenetic Technologist Training Program. I learned a lot about teaching and test design from Jim, for which I will always be grateful. It was a pleasure to work with Jim, as he was a hard worker and was always willing to help anyone who needed it, but the best thing was his sense of humor and his joy for life.

Jim was a very kind and gentle person, whose faith was very important to him. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to get to know him and Myrt and other members of his wonderful family.

He leaves quite a legacy and will be greatly missed.

My condolences to everyone in his family. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Diane Jordan

Karen , Matt. And family

We are sorry to hear about your grandfather Karen . Please know that we have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. .

Matt & Sam Gavin

We are so thankful for the kindness shown to us by Jim and his family during our days at Westmar. We will never mispronounce zoology and will remember the best homemade pizza ever as well as the flower girl that added so much to our wedding. Please accept our sincere condolences.

Ed and Cheryl Miller

I called him “Coach”. Dr. Divelbiss was my tennis coach at Westmar from 1966-1970. He was a very good coach but his greatest contribution was his example as a Godly man and role model during my formative years. He was kind, encouraging and a man of principles and he oozed integrity. He had a great smile and I enjoyed his sense of humor. I look forward to seeing him again and thanking him personally for pouring into me during those formative years in my life.

Rick Hoff, Westmar Class of 1970

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Jim had a rare combination of intellect, humility, and compassion. He was a gentle man who along with Myrt raised incredible children who continue his legacy. We always enjoyed our conversations with him about his family, his faith, and his research. Dea Epley Birtwistle and Lloyd Epley

Jim was a critical member of our group working in the early stages of the human genome project and brought in new techniques that were critical to our and the projects success. Far more importantly he was just a wonderful human being. He made everyone around him kinder, more thoughtful and more motivated. His gentle manner enabled his considerable scientific skill to be more effectively implemented and he trained a whole generation of students in both the best way to do an experiment as well as the best way to think about how to do an experiment. We were all so lucky to know such a genuinely good human being and wish his family can know how much he meant to others.

jeff murray

As both a family member and a student of Jim at Westmar College from 1965-1969, I got to know Jim quite well. He also attended my church throughout much of my early life in Le Mars, Iowa. He was a pillar in my church. His attributes reflect a blended life that was devoted to his personal faith, his family, and his academic ability. He is and will continue to be in God’s Heavenly Kingdom a man of integrity, character, honor, love, compassion, and brilliance…all flowing from a heart-warming personality. My condolences to his family who have been enriched with loving memories for a lifetime. Gary Vance

My deepest heart-felt condolences. I worked with Jim during my training in Cytogenetics in 1992-1993 and learned a lot from him. Jim is a wonderful person, very skilled scientist and a good friend.

Hatem El-Shanti