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James D. McMechan, 70, died Saturday, March 22, 2003 at Israel Family
Hospice House in Ames, Iowa.
James D. McMechan was born June 23, 1932, in Harlan, the son of James P.
McMechan and Ruby Dent. He married Ardis Walter on Sept. 8, 1957, in
Beaman. After graduating from Waterloo East High School, he received
bachelor's and master's degrees from Iowa State University, where he was a
member of Alpha Chi Rho fraternity and Eta Kappa Nu Scholastic Honorary.
He joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of Iowa
State University after graduation, where he taught and did research for 37
years, retiring as associate professor emeritus in 1992.
Ardis and I met in 1955 when we were
graduate students and instructors at Iowa State. We both received
Bachelor's and Master's Degree from Iowa State. When we received the
Assistant Professor rank in 1961, we became the first married couple to be
awarded rank at the same meeting of the Iowa Board of Regents.
She stopped working away from home when the children were born because of
lack of adequate child care. Later, an aging Mother required much of her
time and attention.
Ardis has had occasional professional part time employment through the
years. Gradually, increased volunteer work and community activities were
added to her life. Her family has always received first priority.
Both our children are Iowa State graduates. James Walter received his B.S.
in '85. Sara Elizabeth received hers in 1990. They are working in other
cities.
I retired from the faculty of the University in 1992 and we continue to
make our home in Ames.
He
was a consultant for a number of businesses and colleges, as member of the
Operations Analysis Group for the United States Air Force and was the
regional communications director of the National Defense Executive Reserve
of the U.S. Department of Transportation. From 1967-1980, Jim and three
ISU colleagues developed and annually presented month-long summer 'short'
courses for USITA (United States Independent Telephone Association)
engineers charged with implementing data communications systems for
customers not connected to the Bell Telephone System. Summers were also
spent with the U.S. Bureau of Standards in Boulder, Colo., Hewlett-Packard
in Palo Alto, Calif., or U.S. Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base in
Florida.
Jim had a penchant for figuring out how electromechanical things worked.
Who else would have a 100 pound teletype on his dining room table for
weeks on end while he took it apart and the reassembled it in pristine
shape? Who else had an office stashed full of teletypes, ham radio
gear, WWV National Bureau of Standards precision time of day receivers,
and any other military surplus electronic equipment he could find?
His other hobbies included amateur radio, especially the Navy Military
Affiliate Radio Services (Navy MARS). He often was called on to
provide emergency radio communications during times of disaster. He
served throughout his ISU career as faculty advisor to the student ham
radio club that had their gear set up in the 'penthouse' of Coover Hall.
A long-time Scoutmaster, Jim was always involved in various activities
with the Boy Scouts of America.
He is survived by his wife, Ardis; one son, James W. McMechan of
Ridgecrest, Calif.; one daughter, Sara E. Albaugh of West Des Moines; and
one grandchild, Anna L. Albaugh. He was preceded in death by his parents
and one sister.
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