James Curtis Frisby, 87, passed away on August 21, 2018 in Columbia, Missouri. Funeral service will be 11:00 am, August 27, 2018 at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service with interment following the funeral service at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Jim was born on October 22, 1930 to Jackson C. Frisby and Gladys (Selby) Frisby on a farm near Bethany in Harrison County, Missouri. After graduating from Bethany High School in May 1948, he attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where he completed the Army ROTC program and received a BS in Education in June 1952. He was immediately called to active duty and served a tour of duty in Germany during the Korean War. After he was released from active duty at Fort Knox, KY in March 1954 as a 1st Lt. Army, Artillery, he returned to MU to complete a BS in Agricultural Engineering. Jim went on to earn an MS Degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1963 and a PhD degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1965 both from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Jim was employed from 1956 to 1960 by Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, IL. At Iowa State University, he served as Assistant Manager of Farm Services from 1961 to 1963 and as an instructor in the Agricultural Engineering Department during 1964-1965. He joined the faculty of the UMC Department of Agricultural Engineering in January 1966 as an assistant professor and advanced to full professor in 1974. He served as Department Chairman from 1989 to 1994. Although he worked in research and extension, his primary interest was on-campus classroom teaching and he was always interested in and involved in student activities and curriculum. Jim published numerous refereed journal articles and extension guide sheets. He was recognized as an outstanding teacher by the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and the College of Engineering. He registered as a Professional Engineer in the States of Iowa and Missouri. He retired from the department in 1996 as Professor Emeritus in Agricultural engineering.
Jim married Hazel M. Kallenbach on December 20, 1969. Hazel was a true partner in all aspects of Jim’s life, including serving together in church work, assisting in taking groups of students to observe agricultural practices overseas and entertaining department faculty and students. Jim was a faithful member of the church of Christ and attended the Hallsville congregation for over 30 years. He taught Bible classes, led singing and preached for small congregations whenever and wherever he was needed. Jim also assisted with a Chapel Church program for inmates in the Moberly Correctional Center.
After his retirement, Jim gave back to the community by his many volunteer efforts. He was Math Counts coordinator for Central Chapter, Missouri Society of Professional Engineers, a math program for seventh and eighth graders, from 1997-1999. He has been an AARP tax counselor and assisted with the Senior Games. Jim has volunteered with the University Hospital on the family desk in the surgery department and later with the VA Hospital in patient transportation. He belonged to Golden K Kiwanis Club thru which he delivered for Meals on Wheels and worked at the Central Missouri Food Bank. Jim acted as representative for K-Kids Club (for elementary students) and Builders Club (for junior high students) and also assisted with the Harmonica Club at Field Elementary. Jim and Hazel were residents of the Lenoir Woods Senior Community in Columbia for several years.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel, in 2017, his parents and three sisters: Kathleen Frisby, Lucile Longfellow, and Grace Davidson and one nephew: John Christian Thomas. He is survived by one sister: Louise Thomas and three nieces: JoAnn Strosnider, Janet Davidson, and Susannah Dethrow, as well as three great-nieces and three great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri 2101 Vandiver Drive Columbia, MO 65202 or to Lenoir Woods for the Benevolent Care Fund ico: Development Director 3710 Lenoir Street Columbia, MO 65201.
