James Robert Kincaid, 77, husband of Wai Kincaid, cherished father of Ellen (Thomas) Menefee and James William Kincaid, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family’s love on Monday, September 26, 2022. He is survived by his grandchildren, Thomas James, William, and Patrick Menefee. Additionally, Dr. Kincaid is survived by his brother, Daniel, and sisters, Nancy Hunter, Karen Elliott, and Martha Fremder. Jim was preceded in death by his parents James N. and LaVerne Kincaid.
Dr. Kincaid received his B.S. from Xavier University in 1970 and his PhD. from Marquette University in 1974. He attended Princeton University where he completed his post-doctoral work as a National Institutes of Health fellow. He joined the Marquette University faculty in 1984 where he remained until his retirement in 2022. He served as professor emeritus of chemistry and former chair of the Department of Chemistry. During his 38 years with the department, Dr. Kincaid was honored as a Wehr Professor, Way Klingler Fellow, Habermann Chair, and with a Haggerty Award for Research Excellence. His work will continue through the doctoral research program he established at Marquette University and with grant funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and Department of Energy.
Jim’s life was centered around his family and his research. He was genuinely grateful to have created deeply meaningful relationships with his family, friends, and colleagues and cherished those bonds above all else. When Jim wasn’t working on his research, he relished time driving his sports car, spending quality time with his wife, children and grandchildren, and discussing the vitality of addressing socioeconomic inequality and environmental climate risks. He was a genuinely kind man of principle and will be sorely missed by those close to him.
A mass will be held at Gesu Chapel on Wednesday, October 12 at 5:00 PM followed by a Celebration of Life Reception at the Marquette University Alumni Memorial Union on the 2nd floor, Lunda Room. In lieu of flowers, friends and family may honor Jim’s legacy by making a contribution to the memorial scholarship of his late niece, Katherine (Kt) Kincaid Scholarship at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy through CHCA’s website at www.Chca-oh.org/ktscholarship.
