James E.C. Tinsman ’56

Jim died Aug. 22, 2025, in Shawnee Mission, Kan.

After graduating from Pembroke Country Day 
School in Kansas City, 
Jim followed his father Charles H. ’28 and brother Charles ’55 to Princeton. He majored in basic engineering and joined Colonial, where he was deeply involved in IAA sports, including rugby and squash (in which he was undefeated). After graduating from Harvard Business School, Jim and his brother Humbert founded or acquired a series of successful businesses, including Capital Services, University Bank in Lawrence, Kan., and NBKC Bank. A strategic and inspirational leader, NBKC has been repeatedly recognized as a “Best Place to Work in Kansas City.”

An avid squash player, Jim won several local and regional tournaments in both singles and doubles. He was an active community member volunteering his time and resources with United Way.

Jim married Carole Shanklin in 1959 and together they had three sons. Upon her passing, he married Elizabeth Haw with whom he spent 21 happy years. He is survived by Elizabeth, three sons, James and his wife Ann, Garrett ’84 and his wife Diane, and William and his wife Elissa; stepchildren Brooke Spenser, Bill Haw and his wife Hitomi, and Kate Haw; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.