James Edgar Froeschle

(November 18, 1929 – November 20, 2023)

Jim Froeschle was born in Santa Ana, California on November 18, 1929 – the year the Great Depression began – an era that would forever shape his solid values, work ethic, and his immeasurable kindness and loyalty to his wife, Billy Jane and his children, Nina, Amy and James. Jim’s parents, both dedicated teachers, grew much of their own produce in what would become known as a Victory Garden during World War II. Jim worked from an early age – moving a hardware store at only 8 years old, little by little to the new shop a couple of blocks away. He worked all day and received a nickel in wages. That work ethic would stay with him a lifetime. He retired at 88 years old from his long-term position as the Medical Director and then consultant for the pharmaceutical company, Sanofi-Pasteur that specialized in children’s vaccines.

During school, Jim was an excellent student, football player and very well liked with a caring attitude toward all his fellow students. Indeed, Jim would surround himself with friends that all had one characteristic in common, consistently kind hearts. After graduating at the top of his class in high school, he earned a coveted position in the undergraduate class at the University of California, Berkeley. With a dream of becoming a doctor, he worked hard at school while taking on jobs to help pay for his tuition. During his summers, he worked at Yosemite and Glacier National Park taking jobs carrying bags, driving a tour bus, and most importantly, spending as much time as he could in the great outdoors enjoying hiking and swimming.

After graduating with honors from Berkeley, Jim went on to Medical School at the University of Rochester were he decided to specialize in Pediatrics. He excelled at his internship at John Hopkins and his residency at Stanford. After becoming a Board Certified Pediatrician, Jim took his new bride, Billy Jane, a gifted artist, to Bangkok, Thailand where he served as a Captain and physician for the Air Force. In 1959, Jim and Jane returned with their newly born daughter, Nina.

Jim, pursuing his passion to improve medical care, attended Harvard School of Public Health receiving a Master’s Degree in that field. He later worked as a research scientist at the Communicable Disease Center making great strides in the control and treatment of encephalitis and other infectious diseases. This research for the CDC and Jim’s love of the outdoors led him to take his wife and by then three children (Amy and James born following Nina) to Fort Collins, Colorado where he worked for over 20 years as a pediatrician and served as Chief of the Public Health Department in Fort Collins.

During his years in Fort Collins, Jim showed a dedication to his patients that included house calls, some in the middle of the night when children were literally dying in their homes. Indeed, Jim saved countless lives over the years and would go, as needed, to the Emergency Room working late into the night. He also was available to be reached by his patients at his home phone number. In short, Jim’s patients were always confident that they would receive the very best medical care that he could provide as well as the caring and compassion to go along with it.

Jim decided for the latter part of his career to return to his love for studying infectious diseases, and joined Sanofi-Pasteur, a premier pharmaceutical company, as the Medical Director. He worked developing vaccines and overseeing many clinical trials. Indeed, Jim led his company in developing the meningitis vaccine, working closely with the FDA, World Health Organization and state legislators across the country to make sure the lifesaving vaccine would be available for those who needed it.

Throughout his life, Jim was a devoted husband and father. He was always available when his children needed a kind ear to hear a seemingly difficult problem, would work hours to help them with their homework, was always game for a good movie or play, and had a great sense of humor. Together, the Froeschle family shared many laughs, loved an occasional fancy buffet brunch, and enjoyed car trips visiting much of America. Billy Jane passed away in 2015. She was clearly the great love of Jim’s life. He never remarried. Jim (“Daddy”) will be forever missed and loved by Nina, Amy and James, all of whom were with him upon his passing on November 20, 2023. He is also survived by his beloved German Shepard, Finna.

Jim’s Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at San Marino Community Church located at 1750 Virginia Road, San Marino, California. Reception at the Church to follow.