James E. Anderson *63

James Anderson, retired chair of University Research Programs at the Ford Motor Co.’s research laboratory, died June 22, 2016, peacefully at home at the age of 77. 

Anderson graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Union College in 1960 and earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Princeton in 1963. A year of postdoctoral work followed at Bell Labs. 

Anderson then had a 37-year career at Ford’s research laboratory. He wrote more than 75 peer-reviewed articles and held many patents. From 1975 to 1976, he took a sabbatical and did research in Germany at the Max Planck Institute in Frankfurt and the University of Mainz. A second sabbatical came later at Stanford University. Until he retired in 2001, he collaborated with scientists worldwide, and traveled often to conferences in Europe and Africa. 

His retirement was spent in Florida and Cape Cod, Mass., with travel to Europe and Latin America. His passions were tennis and his extended family. 

Anderson is survived by Elizabeth, his wife of 54 years; four children; and nine grandchildren who held center stage when they were with him. 

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.