Obituary

When you think of James Hans Newquist many things come to mind: bluebirds, volunteering, dogs, education, and that charming, boyish grin. James, affectionately known as "Jim," died on Friday, December 22, 2023. He was 81.

Jim grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, the only child of Hans and Elin (née Ericksson) Newquist, in the house his father and uncles built. As a child, Jim was active in the outdoors and Boy Scouts, earning his Pro Deo Et Patria Award through his church, Our Savior Lutheran Church in Fair Lawn.

Jim graduated from East Paterson High School in 1960 and went on to solidify his lifelong passion for teaching others by earning a degree from Paterson State Teachers College in 1964.

Jim shared his knowledge of science, the outdoors, birds, fishing, and astronomy with thousands of children throughout his career as a science teacher in Mount Olive, East Orange, Milburn, and other school districts in New Jersey.

His passion for space and astronomy shined through his involvement with the National Association of Rocketry and 4-H Rocketry Club, where he could often be seen wearing his NASA jacket covered in space mission patches. Jim was recognized for his efforts as a teacher and environmentalist many times, including being awarded State Teacher of the Year. He was also honored in Washington, D.C., for Exemplary Leadership in the 4-H Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Program.

An active volunteer for 4-H, Jim played many roles in the organization, including serving on the Board of Directors as vice president, judging public presentations and projects at the annual 4-H summer fair, and serving as the 4-H coordinator for the spring and call "Clover Campaigns" fundraisers at Tractor Supply.

The youth program was a central part of Jim's volunteer activities but he didn't stop there. Other volunteer activities included Noah's Ark Animal Shelter, Boy Scouts, Flanders Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Squad, and the Mount Olive and Hackettstown Historical Societies. Jim was always ready and eager to be a leader and served as vice president or secretary in various organizations and helped shape Mount Olive's Bicentennial Celebration in 1976.

On free weekends, Jim could be found building or installing bluebird boxes throughout New Jersey parklands. He was the number one fan of bluebirds, presenting dozens of programs and serving as the vice president of the New Jersey Bluebird Association.

The church was a central component of Jim's life. He began at Our Savior as a child. Later in life, he was a member of Abiding Peace Lutheran Church in Budd Lake, N.J., where he served on the church council for many years. Most recently he was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Long Valley, N.J.

In 1969 Jim married his wife, Karen (née Boresen), and they settled in Mount Olive to raise their two children and a multitude of dogs and cats. They have been married for 54 years. Jim shared his wife's love of dogs and often accompanied her to dog shows up and down the East Coast.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Newquist, his children and their spouses, Kenneth Newquist and his wife Susan of Easton, Pa., Kristen Valenti and her husband Frank of Plymouth, N.H., and five grandchildren: Jordan, Sydney, Lucas, Benjamin, and Matthew.

A memorial service will be held on January 13, 2024, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Long Valley, 11 Schooleys Mountain Road, Long Valley, NJ.

Calling hours will be at 12:30 p.m. and the service will begin at 1:00 p.m. A reception will be held afterward at 2 p.m. Interment of his ashes at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glen Rock, NJ, will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim's name to the Lance Corporal Andrew Lubrano 4-H Memorial Scholarship of Morris County 4-H. Donations are accepted via Paypal, https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_donations&business=morriscountynj4h%40gmail.com&currency_code=USD&source=url