James Graham Welch, professor emeritus, University of Vermont, died
on March 18, at the age of 91. He had a long illness from cardiac
disease but had extended his life through his own determination and
the good health care he received in the Burlington community.
Jim was born in
Ithaca, N.Y., on August 16, 1932. His father, Donald Welch, was a
professor of plant pathology at Cornell University, and his mother,
J. Catherine (Graham) Welch, was a botanist. Jim fondly remembered
his father returning home at lunchtime to walk through the beautiful
gardens with his mother, while discussing the progress of each plant.
Jim’s older sister, Kitty (Catherine), rounded out the nuclear
family.
Jim completed
undergraduate studies at Cornell University in 1955. He continued
academic work at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he
earned a PhD in 1959. After graduation, Dr. Welch headed off with his
wife, the late Betty (McSween) Welch, to Rutgers University in New
Jersey. The next seven years were, indeed, full with faculty
responsibilities in teaching new courses, conducting and presenting
his research and establishing a reputation among his peers. Also at
this time, Jim and Betty became parents to four daughters. First was
Elizabeth Wynn, followed by Catherine “Kate” Carty, Margaret
Merritt and Anne Stuart.
In 1967 Dr. Welch
became aware of an open faculty position at the University of
Vermont. He enthusiastically applied and was appointed associate
professor. For the next 30 years, he held faculty appointments in the
graduate college and in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
and taught undergraduate and graduate courses in animal nutrition, as
well as physiology and genetics. Dr. Welch’s research focused on
ruminant nutrition (appetite control and ruminant dynamics). In 1971
he was promoted to professor. In 1984 Dr. Welch was recognized as
distinguished faculty with the University Scholar Award in Biological
Sciences for his sustained and excellent research activity. Although
he was offered administrative positions, he firmly believed that the
best job one could have was that of professor with tenure.
The move to UVM
meant that Jim and his family now resided close to the shores of Lake
Champlain. Jim purchased a 12-foot centerboard sloop and began a
successful four-year racing career. He studied sailing dynamics with
the same intensity he gave to any new endeavor, and, consequently,
his boat was the one to beat. The joy of sailing however gave way to
his passion for farming.
Jim had purchased
land on the advice of a banker when the family first moved to
Vermont. In 1978, he decided to use this land, in part, to raise
Highland beef cattle. This land became his beloved Owl Rock Farm. Jim
was born with what he would call “the farmer gene.” As an animal
science major, he learned a great deal from Cornell’s mandatory
three summer-farm experiences, which he started while in high school.
Now he was working his own farm, along with his university
responsibilities. He did it without hiring helpers, but he did forge
a very important summer ritual. Each year he joined the neighbor’s
haying crews and soon hay began filling his sheds. Jim held his
neighbors, the Stebbins, in deep respect. They became as close as
family over the many years.
Jim purchased his
first bull, Charlie, from Carroll Shatney, the Cow Whisperer of
northern Vermont. Jim and Carroll had an enduring friendship. When
Jim was entering a new phase of his life with Dr. Lorri Clarke, a
faculty colleague, Carroll asked Jim, “What are you gonna do with
her?” His advice? “Marry her. She’s a good one.” So, in 1995,
Jim and Lorri were married and enjoyed a beautiful, 30-year
relationship. For ten of those years, Lorri worked with Jim, caring
for and learning about the marvelous Highland cattle.
Jim worked with the
Highland breed for 38 years. He was a very committed, productive
member of the American Highland Cattle Association. He served on the
board of directors of both the national and regional associations. He
raised breeding stock, judged Highland cattle shows and wrote many
articles on nutrition and grazing practices, among other subjects,
for the association’s professional journal. Jim was frequently an
expert resource for members and nonmember breeders. In 2006, Jim was
elected Member of the Year, and, in 2010, he was elected to the
Highland Hall of Fame for his dedication to the breed and to the
association.
Jim was an active
member of the First United Methodist Church of Burlington. He served
six years on the board of trustees. There, he developed another
staunch group of friends who shared many experiences. One group
helped build, under the direction of Bruce Venner, a simple house,
overlooking beautiful farmlands of Owl Rock Farm. The four daughters,
along with friends, would spend weekends creating adventures that
still live in their memories.
Folk dancing was
another interest that created friendships that have long endured. The
group would frequently dance Scottish, English and other
international folk-dance favorites. After parties would welcome
treats and conversation long into the evening. New Years’ Eve dance
parties were a special way to begin the year.
Jim is survived by
his wife of 28 years, Lorri; his daughters, Kate (Don), Margaret and
Anne (Jonathan); sister-in-law, Mary; son-in-law, Glenn;
step-daughter, Mindy; step-son, Edmund (Kristin); grandchildren,
Graham, Anna and Montgomery; step-grandchildren, Finnegan, Alexandra,
Eamonn and Ronan; cousins, Mary and Linda (David); nieces Debbie
(David), Judi (John); and nephew, Don. Jim was predeceased by his
first wife, Betty; daughter, E. Wynn and sister, Kitty.
Donations may be
made in Jim`s memory to the James G. Welch Scholarship Fund,
University of Vermont Foundation.
A memorial service
will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Burlington, 21
Buell St., Burlington, Vt., at 1 p.m., on April 14.
This article appears in Mar 20-26, 2024.