James G. Lindberg

September 19, 1940 – September 23, 2021

He led a charmed life, ’til he didn’t. James G. Lindberg, 81, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away on September 23, 2021 after a very short bout with pancreatic cancer. The Grand Rapids, MI native was born on September 19, 1940 to George H. and Florence E. Lindberg. Jim earned his BA from Kalamazoo College and PhD from Baylor University. In 1967 he joined the chemistry faculty of Drake University from which he retired in 2002. While he published and presented a number of scientific papers, his passion was teaching with a career spanning 48 years, primarily at Drake (35 years) but with visiting positions at Grinnell College (13 years), Stanford University (3 years), and University of Oregon. In his retirement Jim developed a passion for genealogy and gardening and continued a long history of wonderful travels with his wife Sandy as a bonus.

Jim is survived by his wife and partner of 28 years, Sandra K. Renshaw, his former wife Harriette Tsosie (Cat Tsosie) of Albuquerque NM and mother of their children, Katherine J. Lindberg (Mark Edstrom) of Fort Collins, CO, James M. Lindberg (Lynn) of Urbandale, IA, and Erica K. Zoretic (Nick) of St. Charles, IL, by his sister Judith K. Shoolery of Half Moon Bay, CA, as well as dear nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and thousands of students and colleagues.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Jim requested that you support education in its most inclusive expressions: Montessori, public schools, private and public colleges and universities.