James Wuertele

St. Johnsbury, VT: James William Wuertele of Church Street passed away at his home on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

Jim was born in South San Francisco, CA in 1941 to Louis and Harriet (Downing) Wuertele.  Raised and educated in Berkley, CA, he graduated from Berkley High School and earned an Electrical Engineering degree from University of California at Berkley, and eventually a Master’s in Applied Physics from University of California at San Diego.

At several California and Massachusetts companies, Jim designed automated communications protection switching and factory production equipment.  Also, he patented his own device for measuring electrical corrosion damage in pleasure boat harbors.  Finally, Jim helped design the factory automation and brewer for Keurig, sharing several patents, before retirement in 2004.  Recently he served as volunteer Energy Coordinator for the town and people of St. Johnsbury.

In 1975, Jim married Alice Babineau with whom he shared 44 years.  They moved to St. Johnsbury in 2003, and joined the Universalist Unitarian Church.

Jim spent many hours on his St. Lawrence River sailing skiff.  He loved taking road and train trips with Alice, experimenting with automated energy harvesting design, as well as cultivating an efficient vegetable garden.

His loving wife, Alice of St. Johnsbury, survives him.  He is also survived by two children: David Wuertele and wife, Tomoko, of Menlo Park, CA, and Laura Wuertele of Oxnard, CA; three sisters: Katie Spangler of Richmond, CA, Liz Thomas and husband, Bob, of Vacaville, CA, and Helen Wuertele and companion, Ray Greenwood, of Minden Mines, MO,  and one grandchild: Kentaro Wuertele.

Friends may call on the family on Friday, April 5, 2019, 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Sayles Funeral Home located at 525 Summer Street in St. Johnsbury, VT.

Memorial donations can be made in Jim’s name to either the Athenaeum or Fairbanks Museum.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.saylesfh.com.