"So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish!"
The phrase comes from Douglas Adams' science fiction series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It was the message left by the dolphins when they departed Earth just before it was demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass. Dolphins left this message as a cheeky thank you for all the fish they had enjoyed over the millennia.
"So long, and thanks for all the fish" is a humorous and off-beat way to say goodbye, often used when leaving unexpectedly. I think this describes Jim to a T. Jim had an incredible sense of humor and left this world too suddenly.
He was the type of person to convey gratitude for the experiences or benefits received during the time spent in a particular place and with various individuals. Everyone liked him for his friendliness and kind demeanor.
There is a scene in the book and movie where the dolphins fly up into space. He loved that part because he always wanted to be an astronaut. It was not to be, so instead, he studied and learned everything there was to know about astronomy and the Space Program and had the good fortune to meet several astronauts. Jim would spend hours and days looking at planes, rockets, space launches, and watch hours of Space trajectories. He would scrutinize every sci-fi and based on true story books and movies about space and the Space program, looking for inaccuracies and truths.
Here is Jim's background:
Jim graduated from Lebanon High School in Ohio; he went on to study Electrical Engineering at The University of Wisconsin-Madison. After graduating with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, he started his first job at NCR as a Process Developer for computer chip memory design, kickstarting a 40-year career in Electrical Engineering and ending as a Principal Engineer at Intel. Jim was a voracious reader and truly enjoyed learning about historical events and people, as well as researching breakthroughs in technology and medical science.
He was a member of several organizations, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE-USA), the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), and the Boston Entrepreneurs Network. He recently represented the IEEE-USA as a member of the MA Delegation of Congressional Visit Day, where he met with Massachusetts Senators and House Members to advocate for funding and advancement of science and technology, relaying his semiconductor experience, and discussing the need for comprehensive data privacy and ethical Artificial Intelligence policies and objectives.
Jim is remembered lovingly every day by his family and friends.
I will love you to infinity and beyond. 💞
*****
Many months after writing this memorial, I traveled to Hawaii, but struggled to find the right place to spread Jim's ashes. While on a raft in the ocean, a school of majestic dolphins found my Jim and guided us beyond the shores off of beautiful Kipu Kai, Kauai. It was a sign that this was the right resting place for him... This is what I needed...
