James Robert Wahl

As a young man, James learned to speak fluent German from his maternal grandmother. He learned to play the piano from his mother, and as his father was a pharmacist, he spent many hours working at Wahl’s Drug Store. He attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and Holy Name Catholic High School, graduating in 1961. While at Holy Name, he was active in Band, Camera Club, and Greek.

James went on to Northern Michigan University, graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in foreign languages and biology. He taught at Racine, Wis. grade school for a year and went on to get his master’s degree in 1967-68. He became an instructor at the U of W Green Bay in German Language. James went to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and in 1978 he earned his Doctorate in German Languages with his thesis being “Investigations Of The Pleiers Melaranz.” James became a telephone translator operator in languages for U of M until retiring around 2003.

James had a great love of music, especially classical. And of books, books and more books. He spent countless hours at the U of M library immersing himself in research of any and all topics of interest to him. He joined St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and loved he church family. Attended bible studies and was the only non-Greek in the choir for many years.

James was adopted from his biological family at birth and a search brought him back to us in 1994. Words are not sufficient to express how much it meant to us to have him in out lives these last 31 years. His silly boyish grin, the twinkle in his eyes, and the memories will live on through the love and laughter we were able to share these past years.

James is survived by his sisters, Patricia Gallagher and Mary (Allen Blahnik) Roberts of Escanaba, Mich.; his brothers, Francis (Judie) Roberts of Rapid River, Mich., and Ray (Kathy) Juetten of Pelkie, Mich., and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Harriett Wahl; and a sister, Mary Jean Wahl. He was also preceded in death by his biological parents, Ray and Hazel (Buckley) Roberts; sisters, Evelyn (John) LeDuc, Mary Helen (Paul) Strong; brothers, Roberts (Eileen) Stone, and Ray (Anita) Roberts; and a brother-in-law, James Gallagher.

James was cremated and will be buried in Ann Arbor, Mich. No services are scheduled at this time.