James Miller Trowbridge

James Miller Trowbridge was born June 11, 1928, to Hugh and Berdella Trowbridge in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Jim’s father owned a funeral home and furniture store in Mondovi, Wisconsin, and Jim helped his father with various tasks at the funeral home and furniture store when he was young. He met his future wife, Grace Gillette, in Mondovi while in high school. Jim was in the army for two years. Then he attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, graduating with a Biology and Physical Science (Physics and Chemistry) degree. Jim and Grace married in Mondovi in 1952. He and his wife Grace then moved to Milwaukie, Wisconsin starting his lifelong career as an inspector with the Food and Drug Administration. His work took him all over the country, and he had many stories of his travels. He was especially fond of the wilds of Alaska and often brought a fishing pole with him on his trips to remote places to keep his elbow in shape. Jim loved to build models of wooden ships ranging from Viking ships to steamships. He also loved the sound of a good polka which would often take him to Leavenworth to soak in the sights and sounds. A good tuba would always get his foot tapping and a twinkle in his eye. And he would often indulge in a Scandinavian treat, a taste he likely inherited from his Norwegian mother. Jim was preceded in death by his wife Grace, and he passed away on July 18, 2023, in Enumclaw, Washington at the age of 95. He is survived by son Hugh Trowbridge, daughter-in-law Cindy, granddaughter Laura, her husband Chris and two great-grandchildren Nate and Harry in Australia; son David Trowbridge, daughter-in-law Teresa in North Bend, Washington, grandson Zachary Trowbridge, his wife Morgan and three great-grandchildren Colt, Saige, and Blair, granddaughter Kaitlyn Trowbridge in Cle Elum, Washington; daughter Kristin Millard, son-in-law Keith in Enumclaw, Washington, grandson Ryan, his wife Samantha and two great-grandchildren Savannah and Ryder in Fircrest, Washington, and granddaughter Danielle Hata, her husband Curtis and great-granddaughter Sloane in Seattle, Washington; nephew James Trowbridge and his wife Patrice, their children Fran and Brian and their families in Wisconsin.

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