James Anthony Zugel, age 79, died October 24, 2012 at his home in Seattle. Jim lived a successful life with type 1 diabetes for over 50 years; he was very disciplined in his schedule and diet. Jim was born in Anaconda, MT on March 19, 1933 to Margaret O’Leary Zugel and Anthony A. Zugel. His mother always said that Jim brought them luck as his dad was hired fill time at the Highway Department in Helena when he was born. Jim was raised in Helena, attended St. Helena grade school, graduated from Helena High School in 1951 then attended Carroll College for two years studying pre-engineering. He transferred to Montana State College where he earned a degree in Engineering Physics in 1955 and his Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington while working at Boeing.
A week after graduating he started working for Allison Division, Design and Development Department of General Motors, Indianapolis, Indiana. He was only able to work there until March of 1956 as he was drafted into the US Army. His duty; however, was good as he was station at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama and worked on the Sputnik rocket. Even though his job was still available for him in Indianapolis when he was discharged, he decided he wanted to come back west and accepted a job with Boeing in Seattle. He enjoyed skiing and knew Seattle was close to mountains. He had been on the ski teams at both Carroll and MSC. He was an engineer at Boeing for nearly 40 years. During his career, Boeing also sent him TDY to Honeywell in Boston for work on the fuel system for the rocket that went to the moon.
Jim entered the Fisher Body Craftsman’s guild model car contest for six years beginning in 1948 when he was a freshman in high school winning second state honors in the junior division. The next year he was first in the state and regional winner in the junior division, which entitled him to the expense paid trip to Detroit. Since then he was entered in the senior division taking first in state in 1950, second in state in 1951, first in state in 1952 and first in state and regional in 1953 again earning a trip to Detroit for Nationals. These models had to be completely original in design and to the exact specifications. Because of his interests in design and building, his main hobby for many years was making his own beautiful furniture.
He is survived by sisters; Peggy McMahon (Gene) of Helena, MT and Marian Appel (Ted) of Fargo, ND; sister-in-law, Dagmar Zugel; nieces, Maureen McMahon Mannix (Randy), Margie McMahon, Mary Kay Appel Schott (Don); nephews, James McMahon, Ted (Sherrie) and Tony (Pam) Appel, Tony (SueEllen) and Kevin (Michelle) Zugel; one aunt, Annarose Shea of Anaconda and numerous cousins.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Jeanne Zugel and brother Larry Zugel; nephews Michael McMahon and David Zugel.
ken everett says
i lived at 924 logan during the early years of ww2. i occasionally played with jim and his neighbor jim powell. jim attended fr weber’s summer camp, as i did. i recall the wooden hand gun replicas jim crafted. he was truly multi-talented.
i am saddened by his passing.
Alan Painter says
I worked with Jim for over 20 years at the Boeing Primary Standards Lab in Seattle. I really enjoyed working with Jim and over the years learned a lot from him. He was a smart and yet very practical engineer. If you asked him a technical question you would always get an answer, usually not right away but in a day or two you would get a thoughtful reasoned answer. He was a great colleague to work with . My condolences to the family.
Fred and Linda McDermott says
We wish we could be with you all for Jim’s service in Helena. That was a beautiful tribute written for Jim. Thanks, Gene and Peggy, for sending it to us. We wish you all well and God’s blessings.
Carl Thelin says
I worked with Jim for many years at the Boeing Metrology Laboratories. He was an excellent person to work with. He was very easy to work with. He always willingly assisted us to resolve the many problems that came up during the course of our various calibration projects. He was quietly very efficient and practical. He was a friend for many years at work. That friendship continued after we retired up until his untimely death. Away from work, he also was very talented. Among his hobbies was the building of very beautiful and intricate furniture for his home. He will be greatly missed.
Jeff Dean says
I worked with Jim for many years and was always impressed with his quiet demeanor and great engineering skills. His sense of humor was paricularly low key but he was always quick with a smile. Jim had a kind of chuckle that I will never forget. When discussing a technical problem, Jim would put his finger into the air like he was working the solution out on a blackboard. I will always think of him as the resident rocket scientist. It was a sincere pleasure to know him. He will be greatly missed. Rest well Jim Zugel.
jeff