Menlo Park resident Jym Clendenin passes away at age 85
Longtime Menlo Park resident Jym Clendenin passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 26, after a short illness. He was 85.
Jym was among the earliest contributors to InMenlo, beginning in 2009. Over the years he contributed dozens of articles, many of them looking at some historical aspect of Menlo. That led to his involvement with the Menlo Park Historical Association.
Born on June 10, 1939, Jym grew up in Virginia, attending Norview High School. He studied electrical engineering at the University of Virginia and religion at Union Theological Seminary in New York. From 1962 to 1966 he was in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. He earned a PhD in physics at Columbia and joined SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory as a physicist in 1979, retiring in 2008.
InMenlo described Jym as a “perpetual motion machine, whether it be walking, running, hiking or cycling.” Wrote his daughter Anne Coughlin on the occasion of his 80th birthday:
“Cycling hundreds of miles each week; training for a half marathon; walking whenever and wherever he can; cooking with friends; wining and dining with new and old friends; voraciously reading with book club and beyond; traveling the world and road tripping domestically; weekly coffee catch ups with the local, retired firefighters; running the hills with the Sunday morning group; movie night and happy hours with Mom; SF symphony season subscriber; enthusiastically engaging in his community; active involvement with the Menlo Park Historical Association; always ready for the party, often the life of the party.”
Jim was an active blogger, offering his thoughts on a wide variety of subjects.
He is survived by his wife Judy and daughter Anne. A remembrance will be held in the new year.
In Jym’s memory, please consider a donation to a cause near & dear to his heart: Abundant Grace Coastside Worker (www.abundantgracecw.org), a local nonprofit transforming the lives of homeless people through meaningful work.
Chris Abramson November 27, 2024 at 5:26 pm
…sure sounds like a life well lived…
John Foster November 27, 2024 at 6:41 pm
I New Jym from engineering school at the University of Virginia, and our shared Navy experience. Over the years, we occasionally contacted each other about our love of biking. He will be missed. John Foster, MD
Virginia and Richard Bendura November 28, 2024 at 8:44 am
Judy, Anne and family, we are heartbroken to hear of Jym’s passing! We have always enjoyed spending time with both of you and have many happy memories including time spent with you in Geneva Switzerland area and of course in California enjoying the many wineries and B&B’s! It was always a pleasure getting together with you when you returned to Virginia. Jym will always be remembered with great fondness. Our deepest sympathy to all your family!
Terry McCaffrey November 29, 2024 at 5:55 pm
Jym was a great man and a good person. He helped me obtain my job at SLAC in1980. Actually invited me over to his house for a pre Christmas dinner in 1980! 3 weeks later I became permanent at SLAC for the next 34 years. Will always be remembered for sure.God has blessed him down here and now up there also.
Diego Rey November 30, 2024 at 9:57 pm
I briefly got to know Jym cycling and looked up to him: hoping when I reached his age I would be putting in the miles that he did. I will miss him.