James R. Tombaugh ’61

Jim Tombaugh, known to many as “Jamie,” died of cancer Jan. 30, 2011, at his home in Corvallis, Ore.  

Born in Chicago, Jamie came to Princeton from Lyons Township High School. At Princeton, he rowed lightweights, was on the Bric-a-Brac staff, and joined Key and Seal. In 1959, he transferred to Stanford, from which he graduated in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree from Berkeley.

After a stint with Stanford Research Institute, Jamie worked in the Oregon wine industry for 40 years, associating with a variety of vineyards and wineries. He also ran a metalworking shop called the Manufactory, where he created sculptures, lamps, and other handcrafted objects for his own pleasure and as gifts for friends and family.  

Married in 1972 and subsequently divorced, Jamie is survived by his daughter, Hilary Jane Tombaugh Norton; his brother, Richard ’54; and his nieces and nephews. Sadly, his son Benjamin died of cancer at age 32, only three weeks after Jamie’s death. We saw very little of Jamie over the years but wish we had seen him more.