James F. Berry

Berry James F., age 74, of Roseville, retired Professor of Neurology at U of M, and long-time community volunteer, died December 22, 2001, peacefully at home after a long illness. Jim, born November 11, 1927 in Baltimore, Maryland, survived paralytic polio as a youth in 1944. He retired from his position at U of M in 1985 because of physical disability partly due to post-polio syndrome. Prior to his appointment at the U of Minnesota in 1961, he served on the faculty of the Department of Biochemistry at Johns Hopkins University and the Department of Medicine, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore 1957-1961. He received his BA degree at Johns Hopkins in 1949, a Ph.D in 1953 at the University of Rochester, NY and did post doctoral work at Cambridge, England, 1956-1957 and the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, 1953-1956. Berry's lifelong commitment to community service was shown in his more than 60 years as a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. He became an Eagle Scout in 1943 and Silver Beaver recipient in 1962. Other activities included District 623 and 916 School Board member, Red Cross life guard and swimming instructor, Girl Scouts, AAU Swimming volunteer and Physician Assistant Advisory Council. Berry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ann. Also surviving are daughters, Barbara, Seattle; Bonnie (Gregory Cooledge), Kirkland, WA; Sarah (Kurt Witzig), Duluth; and Kate, McLean, VA; and 4 grandchildren, Lance, Neilo and Peter Wirzig and Mia Cooledge. Memorial service will be Saturday, January 26, 2002 at 2:00 PM at ROSEVILLE MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 2245 N. Hamline Ave., Roseville (651-631-2727). ``Gathering time'' 1:30 PM at the chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to White Bear Lake Unitarian Universalist Church, BSA Indianhead Council, League of Women Voters, GSA St. Croix Valley Council, or donor's choice. Private inurnment.

Published on January 20, 2002