James Herbert Hunter, Ph.D.
HUNTER, James Herbert, Ph.D., 79, PRESQUE ISLE, March 19, 2011. A memorial service will be held Wednesday evening, March 23, 2011, at 7 p.m., at the State Road Advent Christian Church in Mapleton. Arrangements are in care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
PRESQUE ISLE – James Herbert Hunter, Ph.D., 79 died March 19, 2011, from multiple myeloma at The Aroostook Medical Center. He was born June 7, 1931, in Washburn, the son of Augusta Goggin Hunter and Herbert S. Hunter.
Jim graduated as Valedictorian of the Class of 1949 of Washburn High School, and graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with highest distinction with a degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1953. At that time, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. of Artillery in the U.S. Army Reserve through the R.O.T.C. program. He entered active duty with the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss, Texas, to attend the Officers Basic Course in Anti-aircraft Artillery. After graduation, he was sent to the European Command where he served with the Field Artillery for 15 months and was separated from service in April of 1955.
Jim married Joanne Howland of Portland on June 26, 1955. He continued his education, receiving a Masters of Science Degree in Agricultural Engineering from UMO. He then took a position with the University of Maine as a Professor of Agricultural Engineering stationed at the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station at the Aroostook Farm in Presque Isle. In 1977, he was awarded a Ph.D. in Food and Agricultural Engineering. Jim’s life’s work involved research on equipment and storage for potatoes. He retired in 1991. He was a member of the American Potato Association and the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. In addition to his work in potato research, Jim remained a member of the Army Reserve for 30 years, receiving promotion to Colonel in 1978. He was separated from active army reserve in 1985. He was a life member of the Reserve Officers Association.
In his retirement years, Jim spent countless hours working to maintain the facilities at Camp Nomacca. He was a member of Nomacca’s executive board since 1984. Jim was also a member of the State Road Advent Christian Church since 1977, serving many years as a trustee.
Jim was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Jean; and his wife, Joanne.
He is survived by their four children: Barbara Miller and her husband, Stuart of Reedsville, PA, Richard Hunter and his wife, Susan of Pensacola, Fla., Rebecca Hunter and her husband, David Lake of Salisbury, NH, and Deborah Tarr and her husband, Mark of Washburn. Jim is also survived by his grandchildren: Jamie Brewer and his wife, Stephanie, Bill Brewer, Carrie Lee Hunter and Andrew Miller. He will be greatly missed by his dear friend, Shirley Thaxter, who was a great comfort to him.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday evening, March 23, 2011, at 7 p.m., at the State Road Advent Christian Church in Mapleton. Friends are invited for fellowship immediately after the service in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Camp Nomacca, 2059 Washburn Road, Washburn, ME. Online condolences may be expressed at duncan-graves.com
