Dear Colleagues,
The campus community mourns the passing of James “Jim” Zaiser P’80, who died on Sunday, Dec. 4. Jim retired as professor emeritus of mechanical engineering in 1999 after more than 33 years of service to Bucknell.
Jim is survived by his son, Barry Zaiser ’80.
Jim served as chair of mechanical engineering for 10 years, received the 1988-89 Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, and participated in the NSF Panel on Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement. He was adviser for the Mini Baja competition and the student section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and he served as thesis adviser for many students in the master’s program. Jim is remembered by his colleagues as a positive force for improvement with a reputation for fair and even-handed leadership. He was a sincere and devoted member of the faculty with a deep sense of commitment to his profession, his students and Bucknell University.
Included below is the complete text of the obituary, as provided by the family.
I encourage you to visit our In Memoriam site to share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others.
On behalf of our entire University community, I extend our deepest sympathies to Jim’s family, as well as to all who knew him at Bucknell.
John C. Bravman
President
James Norman Zaiser, 88, of Lewisburg, passed away Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, at Evangelical Community Hospital.
A native of New Jersey, he was born in Salem, Jan. 23, 1934, a son of the late John Norman and Ella (Cunning) Zaiser. He was married to the former Marilyn Smith and his death breaks a marital union of 65 years.
Jim received his Doctorate from the University of Delaware, where he is in the University Sports Hall of Fame for football and was captain of the baseball team, and had served as a Captain in the Army. He was a Godly man and a faithful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Bucknell University for 34 years.
He was an Eagle Scout, Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 509, member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lewisburg since 1965 where he served as an Elder, American Red Cross Emergency Volunteer, 4-H instructor, enthusiastic supporter of his grandchildren in gymnastics.
In addition to his wife he is survived by three sons, Barry S. (Kim) Zaiser, Stephen M. (Cynthia) Zaiser, Brian D. Zaiser; three grandchildren, Rebekaha (Matthew) Blickendorf, James Aaron (Christa) Zaiser, Benjamin (Sarah) Zaiser; four great-grandchildren, Anna Grace, Madelyn Faith, John Michael, Eleanor Noel.
He was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Andrew James.
A Celebration of Life service will be held later at the convenience of the family. Donations in memory of James may be made to the Missions of the First Presbyterian Church of Lewisburg.
Funeral arrangements are by the John H. Shaw III Funeral Home, Lewisburg.