Obituary of James Emmett Grabenstetter

September 18, 1946 - Cincinnati, Ohio

November 21, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

James “Jim” Grabenstetter, beloved husband of Christine “Chris” Grabenstetter (nee Ausman), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the age of 78 years from complications of Parkinson's Disease.

Jim was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 18, 1946, the son of Robert Grabenstetter, an industrial chemist who had five patents involved with Crest toothpaste. Jim and Chris first met while they attended Colerain High School where he was valedictorian in 1964. He completed his BA in Chemistry at Reed College (Portland, OR) in 1968, after which he and Chris emigrated to Canada so that Jim could pursue a PhD in quantum chemistry at McGill, which he completed in 1974. Jim and Chris were married in 1973 in Montreal, QC, and moved to Calgary, AB, in 1984 where Chris secured a medical residency at Foothills Hospital. In Calgary, Jim completed a master’s thesis in Applied Mathematics.

Jim worked in the oil and gas industry with the firm Computer Modelling Group. He was involved in several publications through his work. He was a member of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.

He volunteered for many years with the Alberta New Democratic Party and was a regular donor to Amnesty International.

Jim loved playing folk music and was an active presence in the Calgary traditional music scene for many years. He was also an enthusiastic and serene folk dancer. In his younger days, he loved sailing with his father, uncle, and grandfather.

He will be most remembered for his kindness and sense of humor - he was incorrigibly addicted to puns.

Besides his loving wife, Jim is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and Ryan Blair of Calgary, AB; his son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Amanda Grabenstetter of Montreal, QC; and grandchild Milo Blair of Calgary AB.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Robert J. Grabenstetter and Doris M. (Oberseider) Grabenstetter.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Graveside Service to follow at Rocky View Garden of Peace Cemetery.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Grabenstetter's service streamed live (link to follow) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Jim's family here.

In living memory of James (Jim) Grabenstetter, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

Click Here to Sign the Digital Guest Book and Watch Jim's Funeral Service