Dr. James Frank Veninga

Dr. James F. Veninga Dr. James Veninga, Bastrop, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2014, from complications of cancer. He grew up in the Midwest and spent his first two years of college at Sioux Falls College, where he also worked as an announcer for KNWC Radio. After graduating from Baylor University in 1964, he earned a Master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School. He returned to Texas to earn a PH.D. in history and religious studies from Rice University, also teaching at the University of St. Thomas, Houston. He then became Executive Director of the Congressionally created Texas Council for the Humanities (Now Humanities Texas), a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, from 1974 to 1997. Jim helped found and give shape to a public humanities movement that expanded the civic life of Texas and the nation. His leadership is acknowledged throughout the country. Also a leader in championing liberal arts education, Jim’s passion found fulfillment while serving as CEO and Dean at the University of Wisconsin Marathon County (Wausau). Working with former Congressman Dave Obey, local and state leaders, and faculty members, he worked to help fund and actualize the Center for Civic Engagement, a large facility that includes the new Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service, a statewide organization dedicated to engaging citizens in timely public issues. Jim was the author of numerous books, including The Humanities and the Civic Imagination: Collected Addresses and Essays, 1978-1998, Standing with the Public: The Humanities and Democratic Practice (with Noelle McAfee), The Biographer’s Gift, and Vietnam in Remission (with Harry Wilmer). His family, friends, and colleagues will always treasure his incomparable sense of humor, his warmth, his kindness and compassion, and his joy in living, especially in the north woods of Wisconsin on beautiful Tigercat lake. However, since his family had so loved living in Smithville for 12 years, retiring in Bastrop brought him great happiness (and warmth!). He is survived by his wife, Dr. Catherine Williams—his beloved partner in a mutual commitment to and passion for the humanities in their 44 years of marriage. Together, Catherine and Jim shared a great love of travel everywhere, but particularly in Mexico, which was always dear to their hearts. He is also survived by his daughter, Dr. Jennifer Veninga, faculty member and Ecumenical Minister at St. Edward’s University, and his sister-in-law Lisa Hayes, an esteemed teacher of art in DeSoto High School. Other survivors include his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Karen Veninga, and his sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Jerry Anderson. Family members also include his sister-in-law, Sandra Williams, his nieces and nephews—Brent Veninga, Brian Anderson, Christine Kiss, Karen Brown, and Suzanne Stoner—and his great-nieces and nephews—Chris and A. J. Veninga; Duncan Brown; Randy Goff; Allison, Ashley, and Aubrey Stoner; and Lauren and Ellie Anderson. A celebratory service will be held in Bastrop at 3 p.m. on January 25 at Bastrop Providence Funeral Home. Please contact Providence for more information at http://www.bastropprovidencefuneralhome.com. A reception will be held after the service at Jim and Catherine’s home. Catherine’s email is adagio55@outlook.com. There will also be a memorial service in Wausau, Wisconsin, later this spring. If desired, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Campus Ministry, St. Edward’s University, to: Father Peter Walsh Campus Ministry St. Edward’s University 3001 S. Congress Austin, TX 78704 Telephone: 512-448-8499.