James Wesley Shean

Shean, James Wesley Born on June 29, 1921 and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, died on June 10, 2010 at the age of 88, in Richmond, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Holly Shean. He survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy, his daughters Trudy Roughgarden, Jill Griffith and Laura Walker, grandchildren Timothy Roughgarden and Veronica Griffith and by a great-grandson Wesley Kirkland. He graduated from the University of Minnesota and did graduate work in advanced optical design at the University of Rochester, New York. He served as lieutenant J.G. in World War II as a naval aviator. He trained in catapult sea planes, and later as a flight instructor for cadets and a pilot for naval air transport services. James met his wife while they were working at Honeywell in Minneapolis. Other companies where he worked include Clarus Camera, and the photography section of Scientific Bureau of Bausch & Lomb. Mr. Shean was granted several patents while working as an optical physicist at the Frankford Arsenal, Philadelphia, PA from 1950 to 1976. During this time he was technical representative on optical instruments and near infrared at NATO. He was a partner of Scidmore & Shean Optical Design Company for 10 years. He also served on the Committee of Science and Arts at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. He was a member of the Optical Society of America since 1958. His entire professional career is summarized in the 12th edition of American Men of Science. As a hobbyist, he was owner and installer of a 19-rank Wurlitzer theater organ (in his home), which was enjoyed by many friends and neighbors, and was played by famous artists from around the world. Mr. Shean will be buried at Fort Snelling in Minneapolis on Tuesday, June 29. Donations may be made in his memory to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Published on June 27, 2010