R. James Macaleer ’55

Born Jan. 29, 1934, to Edna Green and William Macaleer, Jim died Oct. 29, 2015, of cancer.

Coming from Lansdowne (Pa.) High School, Jim graduated cum laude from Princeton. He majored in chemical engineering, joined Tiger Inn, and roomed at 22 Blair Hall with Donald Greene, Harold Haabestad Jr., and William Van Alstyne.

Jim’s 11 years as a fighter pilot in the Navy were complemented by his service as a director for numerous organizations, including the local watershed organization, the Brandywine Valley Association; the regional land trust, Natural Lands Trust; and the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, which he chaired for almost six years.

Co-founder of Shared Medical Systems, a leading provider of financial, administrative, and patient-care automated information-processing systems, Jim retired in 1995 as CEO and in 2000 as non-executive chairman. He received many awards, including the Boy Scout Distinguished Eagle and Silver Beaver awards, Entrepreneurial Excellence award from Delaware Valley Venture Group, Distinguished Entrepreneur award from Muhlenberg College, and an honorary degree from Drexel University.

During rare escapes from the boardroom, Jim loved freshwater fishing, tennis, and bird watching with his wife, Lola Jean, in more than 30 countries on seven continents.       

Jim is survived by Lola Jean, sons David and Douglas, daughter Cynthia, and two grandchildren.