James Edgar Finholt, William H. Laird Professor of Chemistry and the Liberal Arts, Emeritus, age 91, passed away on October 29, 2024. James began teaching at Carleton in 1960 and retired in 2001. He received his B.A. in chemistry from St. Olaf College and his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.
He taught courses at Carleton on inorganic, physical, and introductory chemistry, and in delivering the Honors Convocation address in 2001, remarked that “being at Carleton for 40 years has been a wonderful life.”
Details regarding James’ memorial service can be found at his official obituary.
Comments
Another heartbreaking farewell for me. Jim was my first chemistry professor at Carleton, a really good one and a wonderful person besides. He’s now my second loss from the chemistry department, Chuck Carlin being the first.
Ditto.
Chuck Carlin, great sense of humor. Made chemistry fun (HOMO LUMO, bald and hairy Baldwin). Retook Whitlock organic class during grad school, improved chance of a respectable grade.
Jerry Mohrig remains. David Smith taught Analytical, Ramette on sabbatical.
Jim Finholt member of David Sipfle Celebration of Life year I signed up for golf scramble (cousin Bob Lea, MD '75). Chaplain Carolyn Slocum '82 reminded me that we both nordic skied under Sipfle's guidance. Bob Luck '83 a stud and truly nice guy.
Professor Finholt was a wonderfully nice guy and great teacher. Without his help and thoroughness when I took his Inorganic chem class, I still would not understand anything about metals. I regard all the professors in the Chemistry department, while I was at Carleton, as dear friends and mentors.
My condolences to Jim's family, who must truly miss him.
When I arrived at Carleton in 1990, Jim became a wonderful mentor to me in my Chemistry Department. I learned how to teach Thermodynamics by sitting in on his entire course - today I still do things that I learned from Jim. Jim was an inorganic chemist, but taught "out of his wheelhouse" and did it well! Over his whole career, he was an innovator, always trying new things and encouraging me to do the same. In the late 1990's, we both became involved with a national NSF-funded project to reform the teaching of introductory chemistry. Jim always encouraged my work and leadership on this project - though it was difficult and at times, risky work that went "against the grain" in college science teaching. He helped set the tone for innovation on this project - and in teaching in the Chemistry Department in my first decade at Carleton.
Jim also set the tone for how we treated each other in the department. He was kind and supportive - and I will miss that. I will miss his sweet holiday letters that he continued to write through his last year. Even amid the rages of aging, Jim continued with a positive spirit - drawing toward his family, games, and much good fun.
I had fewer opportunities to interact with Jim since I started at Carleton in 2011, several years after he retired, but he was always such a sweet and thoughtful person to work with. Jim played a key role in initiating the Chemistry Department's current approach to comps (integrative exercise) when he hosted Harry Gray as a Dreyfus Lecturer in the late '70s, a model that we all continue to value more than 40 years later. Like several of my colleagues, I have adapted a number of Jim's problems from introductory and inorganic chemistry classes over the years. He clearly had a great way of getting students to think beyond the surface of a problem and ask the deeper questions of "why" and "what if". It is no wonder that his classes are so fondly remembered by generations of Carls.
He assigned group problem sets, gave us time to work together outside class.
Us three females, all participants in OCS during junior year(Paas Fuerth;Ulmer,Graz),formed a pod. I relied on other two women to understand some principles,but I solved a challenging puzzle that stumped others.Not sure it was correct,but given class minutes to explain solution. And ended up with PChem A+,killer course reputation - due to light class load (2, instead of 3 that autumn).
Also enrolled in his Inorganic.
I will always be grateful to Jim for the straightforward approach he took to teaching, working with students, and working with colleagues -- he was always doing his best to find the best in everyone else. His kindness and optimism were important components of the Chemistry Department, both in the few years that we overlapped, and in the time after he retired; his influence has persisted. Jim approached many things with evident joy -- he clearly loved introducing students to new ideas and learning new things, whether doing chemistry, traveling, or spending time with family. Jim's influence on the Chemistry Department will persist into the future, as will his influence on former students and colleagues, and he will be missed.
Jim was an important mentor to me during my pretenure years. I served on several committees with him, and learned a lot from his thoughtful but tough analysis of issues. He wasn't afraid to speak truth to power, and although he always did so respectfully, he wasn't someone that the "powers that be" could easily bully. Carleton was the richer for having had him be a part of its community. He is missed.
I have fond memories of Jim conducting "experiments" for the kids during the children's sermons at the Northfield United Methodist Church. Jim was smart, kind and a fun man. He will be missed.
I had Professor Finholt for Thermodynamics in 1990. I hated Organic Chemistry and thought I made a terrible error in major. And then Thermo. It was wonderful. I was in love with the subject and how great a teacher Jim was. I was especially touched by how incredibly nice and kind he was.
He one said to me that when you leave this cocoon and enter the big bad world of Big Science -there will be lots of assholes out there. I was shocked that Jim swore!!! But I took it to heart. I also took that spirit and it made me want to be nice in science. Competitive and hardcore. But nice to people. Like JIm.
Patanjali Kambhampati
Professor
Department of Chemistry
McGill University
www.kambhampati-group.mcgill.ca
Understated guy. Told me his son in Ann Arbor, 2018 or so.
His son is Tom Finholt, School of Information.
James Comey's son shopped at Chesterbrook Safeway (McLean, VA). Played basketball for Oberlin or whatever Division III. Knew it was Brian because wore a "COMEY" winter hat, and as a Courtesy Clerk, free reign to mingle with shoppers.
Sen Tammy Duckworth shopped in person once. OMG
Among the qualities that impressed me about Professor Finholt as a teacher were his kindness, patience, and humility. He was capable of self-deprecating humor—a trait especially impressive to me in a positively brilliant man. I’ve forgotten the chemistry I learned from him, but the example of his character remains imprinted on my memory.
Dr. Finholt was an important part of my time at Carleton. An incredibly lengthy take home exam, an appreciation for d-orbital splitting, and a devotion to students were hallmarks of those years.
Jim had a major influence on my life - he was my freshmen seminar teacher (when Carleton had them) and we worked on Energy Policy when science thought we were running out of oil (the Arab oil embargos may have had something to do with that rather than real geological science) - at the time, we concentrated on conserving energy and coming up with alternatives such as solar and geothermal energy (that died when we were awash in oil in the 1980's and the price plummeted) - my comps for Chemistry were on enhanced oil recovery (based on chemistry, physics and geology) - I was about 30 years early on that one but Jim liked it) - one thing that seminar highlighted to me was that policy makers and scientists often do not mix well and directed my career towards trying to bridge the gap between scientists and non-scientists (first with two trips to DC working on energy policy as a legislative aid and a lobbyist for energy conservation). Equally important, in a later chemistry class, Jim insisted that we needed to learn to program computers (with punch cards!) as he had the vision of its coming impact on scientific research - my introduction to computers even before they were a thing (or the invention of the Apple or IBM PCs) formed a strong foundation for a life of representing clients with technology issues (which largely related to computer technology including super computers, PCs and networking technology, the internet, smartphones, social media, robotics and now AI) - when I look back on my life, other than my family and church, Jim had one of the deepest impacts on my life as any person - the true mark of a teacher.
Jim Finholt led the only individual comps project in 1996-1997, as my best friend’s comps advisor. I believe she worked harder, learned more, and enjoyed her project more than the rest of us, who did group comps! That’s the example I remember most that shows how Jim Finholt was a great mentor and trailblazer. May he continue to light our path forward as we remember him.
My student years were immensely enriched by Dr. Jim Finholt’s dedication and kindness, which drew me to stay on campus for summer research in his lab rather than taking an internship at 3M. An unexpected summer pleasure was an outing to sail on a lake in his Sunfish! His support was vital to my successful application for an NSF graduate fellowship for my future PhD. As my advisor, he went above and beyond, offering compassion and sage advice to try out running as a cure for a broken heart. Back then, before we could take for granted today’s easy, instant communication with far-away family, he adeptly fulfilled such parentlike roles for students. After graduation, I joined his exchange of annual holiday mailings and happily visited him along with my family when we attended my 25th reunion. I will dearly miss his yearly messages which, over these past four decades, offered me a shining example of how to live a highly fulfilling and meaningful life. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and to the Carleton community.
After all these years, I still call him Professor Finholt, even in our Christmas letters. He was a professor in the best sense of the word -- a learned human being who wanted to learn with you.
The comments I read about his kindness, out of the box thinking, and pride in helping community and having fun, all resonate with me.
I still remember the exercise on creating our own periodic table should the number of elections per shell changed. I used a similar exercise when I taught chemistry and tried to use more "what if" scenarios to understand the nature of what various rules in nature produces in our physical world.
I will always remember the kind laughter he gave me when I went to him to ask him if he made a mistake in placing my name to graduate with honors in Chemistry. He looked straight at me and said this is the first time he has been asked such a question. I don't remember much after that -- other than that he made me feel seen and deserving.
I think Professor Finholt continues to live through the thousands of students he has influenced.
With much appreciation,
Sabrina S. Fu, class of 1986
Environmental Portfolio Director, UMGC
I think it was the first day of p-chem that Dr. Finholt walked into class with a small box and proceeded to sit on the table in front of us to discuss the particle in a box model. It was as though he had a special gift, and we felt lucky to be the recipients. Dr. Finholt made summer research non-threatening and incredibly engaging. He would often be in lab, sometimes working next to us, and I will always remember the shared excitement of creating an air sensitive beautiful robin's-egg blue chromium complex after many failed attempts. The end of the summer meant a sailing expedition with his son, Tom, and getting to know his wonderful wife, Bev. His holiday letters were another gift, as his accounts of travels, games, and grandsons would be wrapped up with my memories of his dedication and his kindness. I, along with so many others, will dearly miss Dr. Finholt.
First attended Carleton Alumni Reunion in 1997 (15th). Unfortunately, Brian Bent '82 never made it back to campus for that or any more recent June get togethers. Such a nice guy, but that is what being a harrier does to most participants (blow off steam during effort of long runs). The lab accident (Prof Mohrig independent research project) shook me, but Brian a stoic. Enjoyed the chamber music performance that featured two Bent musicians, Libby and.
I had the privilege of experiencing Jim as both a professor at Carleton and in activities in Northfield outside the college. One of the characteristics I valued in Jim is that like his colleagues in the chemistry department (Chuck Carlin, Bill Childs, Jerry Mohrig and Dick Ramette), he didn’t allow his religious faith to prevent him from being a rigorous scientist and outstanding teacher. Nor did he allow his scientific knowledge diminish his faith. He didn’t talk about his beliefs in the classroom, but he lived them in the way he interacted and supported his students.
Not only did I have him in Inorganic Chemistry, I was his son Tom’s youth leader at Northfield United Methodist Church. Jim and Bev were not concerned so much that Tom had the right beliefs, as that he treated others fairly and served others. They supported the youth group’s week-long trip to work with Lakota farmers on the Rosebud reservation in South Dakota.
I especially remember Jim leading the week-long canoe trip to the Boundary Waters for two summers. He ensured that each of the eight youth did their share of the work — putting up the tents each night, preparing meals over the fire, carrying the canoes over their shoulders on portages. Boys and girls had to take their turn on all the tasks; there was no discrimination based on gender. He was the same in the chemistry classroom.
Even though I excelled in my chemistry classes, including his, Jim still supported my decision to enter the ministry. I appreciate that. I remember his devotion and care for his wife Bev as her health declined due to Parkinson’s disease. He was still vitally engaged in the community when I last saw him in October 2021 for the dedication of the Ellen Anderson Science Hall. I am grateful that he taught me not only about chemistry but how to live life fully in service to others.
Rev. Carol Rexroad Cannon, 1978
Yale Divinity School, M.Div. 1982
Thanks for the additional information. I chatted with Prof Jim Finholt during the 150th celebration at June Alumni Reunion 2017; current living presidents were on stage with a moderator, including Pres Robert Edwards (tall as ever), bicyclist/runner Rob Oden, Stephen (diamond) Lewis, and (nickname for students) Stevie P.
August Alumni Reunion 2022 Anderson reception, Prof Jerry Mohrig showed up despite his personal health status. Really appreciated that; Mohrig also introduced me to (disguised faculty member) Matt Whited of CalTech at departmental reception 2019.
Prof Jim Finholt also spoke at Nordic Ski Club faculty advisor David Sipfle's celebration of life (Carolyn Slocum '82 also nordic skier). Only able to make that event because I had paid $100 to try out golf scramble the Thursday afternoon of Alumni Reunion weekend; turns out golf is TOUGHER than running, our foursome on Northfield Golf Club grounds ALL AFTERNOON. Exhausted, although we rode in carts. AD Gerald Young such a cool guy! Cousin Bob Lea '75, whom I barely know, touched base the next year during Alumni Reunion breakfast in new Language Center dining hall (he played football, rugby for Knights and lives within easy driving distance of Northfield MN).
Agree that Carleton faculty treat students in a gender neutral fashion. Never occurred to me that it could be any different, until starting grad school at a top-10 program. Like hitting a brick wall. Took 15 years to pick up pieces from that experience; grateful that Prof John M Wood (our senior year comps) exchanged letters and spoke on the phone from Bradford U in Yorkshire. Reeled me back to a sense of reality, where people treat each other with care and respect.
10% hard work, 90% faith.
KRLX student radio online, a way to stay in touch with campus from distant southeast Michigan (when DJs speak between songs). Thank you to current Carls.
Jim arrived at Carleton only four years after I did, and we soon became close colleagues. Although Jim’s principal field was inorganic chemistry, he had a strong background in physical chemistry, and we alternated teaching courses in the latter for many years. I admired Jim’s ability to involve students in discussion in both small and large classes, and there was always his effervescent good humor. Not only was he a valued teacher, but his research in chromium complexes resulted in many publications with student colleagues.
Outside the classroom Jim and I shared a love of sailing. For many summers he and Bev and Nancy and I chartered a cruising sailboat out of Bayfield, Wisconsin to explore the waters around the Apostle Islands and to anchor overnight in the bay of an island. Jim retained his calm during some strong and challenging winds; he was an effective captain. The four of us also chartered a few times in the Caribbean.
Jim and I were middling tennis players and participated for many years in a noontime doubles match on the Carleton tennis courts. I will always remember our many good times together. He was a fine human being.