Farewell to Jim Sykes
James (Jim) T. Sykes. Jim passed away December 24, 2019 at age 84. Jim was well-known in the aging world for his many contributions to aging policy over more than five decades at both the national level and in the State of Wisconsin. Just a few highlights from his many accomplishments: one of 12 individuals appointed by President Kennedy to help form the Peace Corps; election to the Dane County (WI) Board of Supervisors; appointment by President Carter to the Federal Council on Aging; Chairman of the Board of the National Council on Aging. He spent many years with the University of Wisconsin and remained associated with the University serving in 2019 as Professor Emeritus and Senior Advisor for Aging Policy. The American Society on Aging recognized Jim with their Hall of Fame Award. Bill Benson was one of those who nominated Jim for the award. Jim was also known for his work on aging policy in a number of other countries. At age 75 Jim received a Fulbright Scholarship to conduct research in Pakistan. Jim co-led with Larry Branch a number of aging study trips to Cuba. Benson joined Jim for one of those trips to Cuba in 2003. Bill notes he introduced Jim to his friend Diane Patterson, a gerontologist in Orange County, California, at an ASA conference. Jim and Di were married in 2017. Jim’s daughter Kathy recently retired from federal service after a long career. She worked with Bill at the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging in the late 1980s.
