James R. Benoit ’64

Jim died Dec. 4, 2025, at his longtime home in Santa Rosa, Calif.

He was born Feb. 1, 1942, and grew up in Sandpoint, Idaho, though he completed his secondary education at St. George’s Prep in Spokane, Wash.

At Princeton, Jim majored in politics, joined Dial Lodge, participated in intramural sports, and enrolled in Air Force ROTC. In his last two years, he roomed with Lenny Thal, with whom he remained close until his death. His classmates always found Jim to be exceptionally likeable, kind, and empathetic.

After Princeton, Jim enrolled in Hastings College of Law in San Francisco prior to serving in the Air Force as an active-duty JAG officer for four years (continuing in the reserves until 1988). After completing his active duty, he decided to live and work in Santa Rosa, Calif., establishing his law practice there and hiring an administrative assistant, Lynn Cook, whom he married shortly thereafter. In turn, they raised two sons, Justin and Brad, and celebrated their 50th anniversary some weeks before Jim lost his lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. In Santa Rosa, he loved his decades-long involvement with Rotary, second only to his total devotion to his family.

Jim is survived by his wife, both sons, one daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.