James Laing Frew Waddell

Jim (James on Sundays) Laing Frew Waddell unexpectedly died in his home in Naples, Florida on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at the age of 71. Jim was born in his grandparent’s home in Sorn by Mauchline, Scotland on October 28, 1946. He was the first of his family to graduate college (Glasgow University) and he then came to Philadelphia for Graduate school. The Wikoff family were his host family who took him to church and home for Sunday dinners. This is where he met his wife of 45 years, Martha. He got his doctorate in Marine Ecology at the University of Pennsylvania and became a biology professor. For a few years he taught biology in Philadelphia (where daughter Sarah was born), at the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and Cabrini College. They then moved to Ithaca, NY where he taught at Cornell University, then moved on to teach at the University of Maine in Orono (where son Robert was born). The family next moved to Minnesota in 1982 where Jim taught at the University of Minnesota, Waseca, then the University of Minnesota, St. Paul. Jim had a life-long love of learning, which he instilled in his children. After retirement, Jim and Martha decided they were “allergic to snow” and began to winter in Naples, Florida. Jim was an avid golfer, making sure to golf every month of the year, even while on vacation in Scotland. He also brewed his own beer (because the stuff you get in America isn’t good enough) and enjoyed visiting breweries, wineries, and distilleries in his travels. Jim and Martha traveled the world, enjoying many cruises together. Jim loved nature, spending hours watching the birds visit his bird feeders, and camping across the country with Martha. He was very proud of his Scottish heritage and loved the chance to wear his kilt and share his stories, recently taking his children and grandchildren to Scotland to share the sights of his childhood.

Jim is survived by his wife, Martha of Naples, FL and Northfield, MN, daughter Sarah (and Mark) of Owatonna, MN, and son Robert (and Cara), and five grand-children, Lydia and Ian Mensing, and Edison, Myra, and Cooper Waddell.

There will be a memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church of Naples, Florida on Monday, March 26 at 2:00pm. There will also be a memorial service in Northfield, Minnesota in the late spring or early summer. More details to follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations for Seasons of Music at the First Presbyterian Church in Naples, FL or the SouthWest Florida Conservancy would be appreciated.

Arrangements Have Been entrusted to National Cremation & Burial Society