James K. Beattie ’61

Jim died May 22, 2021, in Sydney, Australia, his home for many decades. 

Born in Philadelphia, he came to us from William Penn Senior High School. At Princeton he majored in chemistry, took his meals at Campus, and swam (breaststroke) all four years, serving as varsity captain during our junior year. He roomed with fellow swimmer Gay Smith.

Following a master’s degree at Cambridge University and a Ph.D. at Northwestern in chemistry, and marrying Margaret Hallo, Jim moved to her native Australia and joined the faculty of the University of Sydney in 1968. His obituary reports, “He fell in love with Australia and its social democracy and was possibly the only American to grasp test cricket.” He spent his entire career at the university, retiring as a full professor. 

“A passionate scientist to the end,” his obituary goes on, “he was admired and respected by his students and colleagues in Chemistry and beyond.” We saw and heard very little of Jim over the years, but he is remembered with affection and respect by his classmates, especially his fellow swimmers.

Jim died within six weeks of losing Margaret. He is survived by his son, Andrew; his daughter, Katharine; and two grandchildren.