This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Jim Voss, 90 years old, born on December 5, 1930, and passed away on March 14, 2021. We honor and bless you as you make your journey into joy and love.
The Voss Family were our neighbors on Glenn David in Pittsburgh. We had lots of fun growing up with The Voss family, and have great stories of late-night tobogganing, Sean and Chris attempting to keep with with Carol as she practiced scales and (as an adult) my husband and I drinking port with Dr Voss in my parents living room when we came home to visit. Much love and hugs to you all. Jennifer, Susan, Brad, Sean, Pat and Leo Wilson.
David and I were Jim's neighbors on Glen David Drive for many years. Four of us had a neighborhood bridge group which we continued when Jim moved to Aspinwall. We began during a March blizzard with 23 inches of snow. He loved our Halloween party. Jim also introduced me to several mystery authors. We talked to him this last December. It was so nice to hear his voice. We will miss him.
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Recent Tributes
The Voss Family were our neighbors on Glenn David in Pittsburgh. We had lots of fun growing up with The Voss family, and have great stories of late-night tobogganing, Sean and Chris attempting to keep with with Carol as she practiced scales and (as an adult) my husband and I drinking port with Dr Voss in my parents living room when we came home to visit. Much love and hugs to you all. Jennifer, Susan, Brad, Sean, Pat and Leo Wilson.
David and I were Jim's neighbors on Glen David Drive for many years. Four of us had a neighborhood bridge group which we continued when Jim moved to Aspinwall. We began during a March blizzard with 23 inches of snow. He loved our Halloween party. Jim also introduced me to several mystery authors. We talked to him this last December. It was so nice to hear his voice. We will miss him.
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his Life
Jim Voss Obituary
James (Jim) Frederick Voss was born in Chicago, IL on December 5, 1930, the son of Leo Carl Jr. and Lydia Emilie (Israel) Voss. He died at age 90 on March 14, 2021 in Seattle, WA. Jim married Marilyn Lydia Timm in June 1953 and they had five children: Barbara, Katherine, Mark, Carol and David.
Jim earned a B.A. from Valparaiso University, Indiana (1952); and an M.S (1954) and Ph.D. (1956) in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He started his career at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire (1956-1958) before moving to the College of Wooster, Ohio (1958-1963). In1963, he joined the Department of Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh where he became full professor in 1966. He served as department chair from 1968-1970. Jim became part of the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh’s Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) and served as Associate Director (1985-1992). In 1979, he was recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Valparaiso University.
Jim had a secondary appointment in Political Science and became an associate in the Russian and European Studies program at Pitt's University Center for International Studies (UCIS). As a Fulbright Distinguished Professor, Jim lectured in Moscow and Kiev, which, at the time, were part of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics, U.S.S.R. Jim retired from the University of Pittsburgh in 1999. His distinguished career and passion for research resulted in more than 129 publications and over 10,000 citations of his published works.
In 2010, Jim moved to Seattle to live at University House-Wallingford retirement community. There he served as President of the Resident Council and led weekly sessions on current events.He loved classical music and was a regular attendee at numerous symphony and opera performances. He was a devoted Christian and member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Fox Chapel, PA and Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Seattle.
Both Jim and his wife, Marilyn, played key roles to establish a chapter of the American Diabetes Association in Pittsburgh. During his life, Jim was committed to supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes.
Jim had a passion for baseball. While growing up in Chicago he became a loyal Cubs fan often going to games at Wrigley Field. In 2016 he achieved his goal to see the Cubs win the World Series. While living in Pittsburgh, he was a coach of his son’s Little League Baseball team for several years. Jim also enjoyed football and cheered for his favorite teams, the Steelers and Bears.
Jim loved to play (and win) at bridge, pinocle, cribbage, Quiddler, and croquet. He was an avid reader who especially enjoyed mysteries and literature by Dostoevsky and 19th Century Russian writers.
Jim is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn. He is survived by his three daughters, Barbara Voss (and husband Frederick Dowd), Katherine Voss, Carol Voss; his two sons, Mark Voss (and wife Deborah) and David Voss (and wife Jennifer); his adopted daughter, Regina Burris; and his four grandchildren, Nathan Voss, Bethany Pierson, Max Voss and Sophie Voss.
Funeral arrangements were made by The Co-op Funeral Home of People’s Memorial, Seattle, WA. Jim was interred next to his wife, Marilyn, at Lakewood Memorial Gardens cemetery in Cheswick, PA.
Jim earned a B.A. from Valparaiso University, Indiana (1952); and an M.S (1954) and Ph.D. (1956) in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He started his career at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire (1956-1958) before moving to the College of Wooster, Ohio (1958-1963). In1963, he joined the Department of Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh where he became full professor in 1966. He served as department chair from 1968-1970. Jim became part of the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh’s Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) and served as Associate Director (1985-1992). In 1979, he was recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Valparaiso University.
Jim had a secondary appointment in Political Science and became an associate in the Russian and European Studies program at Pitt's University Center for International Studies (UCIS). As a Fulbright Distinguished Professor, Jim lectured in Moscow and Kiev, which, at the time, were part of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics, U.S.S.R. Jim retired from the University of Pittsburgh in 1999. His distinguished career and passion for research resulted in more than 129 publications and over 10,000 citations of his published works.
In 2010, Jim moved to Seattle to live at University House-Wallingford retirement community. There he served as President of the Resident Council and led weekly sessions on current events.He loved classical music and was a regular attendee at numerous symphony and opera performances. He was a devoted Christian and member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Fox Chapel, PA and Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Seattle.
Both Jim and his wife, Marilyn, played key roles to establish a chapter of the American Diabetes Association in Pittsburgh. During his life, Jim was committed to supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes.
Jim had a passion for baseball. While growing up in Chicago he became a loyal Cubs fan often going to games at Wrigley Field. In 2016 he achieved his goal to see the Cubs win the World Series. While living in Pittsburgh, he was a coach of his son’s Little League Baseball team for several years. Jim also enjoyed football and cheered for his favorite teams, the Steelers and Bears.
Jim loved to play (and win) at bridge, pinocle, cribbage, Quiddler, and croquet. He was an avid reader who especially enjoyed mysteries and literature by Dostoevsky and 19th Century Russian writers.
Jim is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn. He is survived by his three daughters, Barbara Voss (and husband Frederick Dowd), Katherine Voss, Carol Voss; his two sons, Mark Voss (and wife Deborah) and David Voss (and wife Jennifer); his adopted daughter, Regina Burris; and his four grandchildren, Nathan Voss, Bethany Pierson, Max Voss and Sophie Voss.
Funeral arrangements were made by The Co-op Funeral Home of People’s Memorial, Seattle, WA. Jim was interred next to his wife, Marilyn, at Lakewood Memorial Gardens cemetery in Cheswick, PA.
Recent stories
A Poem
This poem was from the memorial service of Judy Peters, Jim's cousin and godmother of Katherine Voss. Katherine would like to share this poem that has special meaning for her.
When I was a stone
I lay asleep for a million years dreaming of trees
And when I was a tree
I whispered my name to the birds who sang to me
And when I was a bird
I watched the way humans live from my place in the sky
By the time I was human
I believed in the glory of change
So I wasn't afraid to die.
When I was a stone
I lay asleep for a million years dreaming of trees
And when I was a tree
I whispered my name to the birds who sang to me
And when I was a bird
I watched the way humans live from my place in the sky
By the time I was human
I believed in the glory of change
So I wasn't afraid to die.