James G. Edinger

James Gilbert "Jim" Edinger passed away on February 4, 2016 in Carmel, California at 97 years of age. Dr. Edinger was born in Van Nuys, California on June 16, 1918, the son of the late Paul Frederick "Fred" Edinger, Sr. and Julia Augusta Halling Edinger of Monrovia, California. He grew up in both Sanger and Monrovia, California. Dr. Edinger graduated from Monrovia Arcadia Duarte High School and Pasadena City College before entering the University of California at Los Angeles. At UCLA he was a member of the track team along with future Baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson and future Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. Jim Edinger graduated from UCLA with his Bachelor of Arts degree in June 1940, his Master of Arts in Meteorology in 1947, and his Ph.D. in Meteorology in 1953. In 1940 Jim Edinger enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a Cadet in Meteorology. He joined the Reserve Officer Corps in 1941 and attained the rank of Major in 1944. He served during the war years establishing and monitoring Army Air Corps meteorological stations across the western United States. Dr. Edinger was predeceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Babette Jenks DeMoe Edinger, and by both of their sons: James Gilbert Edinger, Jr. and Jon Turner Edinger. Babette and Jim first met during the early World War II years when she (a Women Airforce Service Pilot - WASP) was assigned to "check-out" Major James G. Edinger in two engine planes. She later recalled that "It was a year before he would ask me out. Our commanding officer finally had to get us together." They were married on August 7, 1946 in Santa Barbara, California. Beginning in 1953, after receiving his Ph.D., he served as an Instructor, Assistant Professor, then Professor of Meteorology at UCLA until his retirement in 1983. He was the author of two books: Watching for the Wind, the seen and unseen influences on local weather, (1967) and Understanding our Atmospheric Environment (with Neiburger and Bonner), (1962). Dr. Edinger was one of the earliest researchers to investigate the nature of and cause of air pollution in the Los Angeles Basin. His investigations of the thermal inversion layer in that region were often accomplished by piloting a small research aircraft around the skies of Los Angeles County. Jim and Babette built two different homes in West Los Angeles during his years at UCLA. In 1984 they moved to the Big Sur coast near Carmel, California where they extensively remodeled a beautiful house situated 800 feet high above the Pacific Ocean. They were part of a close community of wonderful friends, many from Babette's childhood years in Monterey County. He was always a cheerful, bright, witty, and personable husband, father, uncle, teacher, and friend. Dr. Edinger was also predeceased by his three brothers: Paul F. Edinger, Jr.; David Halling Edinger; and Samuel Calvin "Cal" Edinger. He is survived by six nieces and nephews: Stephanie DeMoe, Vacaville, CA; Linda Edinger Flournoy, Rosemead, CA; Dr. Susan Edinger Marshall, Blue Lake, CA; Gordon DeMoe, Chester, CA; Dr. Paul F. "Fred" Edinger, Hartsville, SC; and David H. Edinger, Richmond, IN., and by sister-in-law Nancy Poklen Shilling, Oroville, CA and brother-in-law Jeffrey Poklen, Santa Cruz, CA. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the charity of your choice.