James R. Gosz

James Roman Gosz–born May 4th 1940 in Menasha, Wisconsin, to Roman and Doretta Gosz–passed away on July 4th in his home in Princeton, ID at the age of 85.

Jim was a “sticks and leaves” man; he got his bachelor’s degree at Michigan Tech and went on to get his PhD in forestry at the University of Idaho, where he met the love of his life of over 50 years, Mary Jane Gosz (O’Reilly) deceased 2022 of Potlatch, Idaho.  They were married in Lebanon, New Hampshire, August 2, 1968.

Jim finished his post doc at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Jim and MJ moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he had an over 30-year career as a beloved professor and nationally recognized researcher at the University of New Mexico. In his 30 years at UNM, he traveled the world, participating in research trips in various countries throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe.  Jim also served three separate terms in Washington, D.C. as the National Science Foundation Director.  He balanced work, building a house, and raising a family with great grace and patience. He loved his children and was heavily invested in all their 4-H and FFA endeavors.  This included raising a diversity of livestock, big and small, in which his children became interested, and then traveling the country with them all in his form of “engaged family vacations.”

After his retirement from UNM, he and MJ moved back to where it all began in Idaho, built their second home, and worked at the University of Idaho as the Associate Dean of Research for the College of Natural Resources, until his final retirement in 2015.

You would often find Jim in his woodshop or garden.  He loved working with his hands, building furniture for friends and family, and canning all his goodies he grew in the garden.

He loved his growing family and is survived by his daughter, Stephanie and husband Micheal James; Son, Rusty (and Heather deceased 2024) Gosz; grandchildren Sean James and wife Casey James, Erik James, Megan James, Katie Whipple and husband Jake Whipple, Israel James, Dawit James, Rachel Franklin and husband John Franklin, Jonathan Gosz and wife Hannah Gosz, Laura McKenzie and husband Isaiah McKenzie, David Gosz, Matthew Gosz, Kate Gosz, Caroline Gosz, Christian Gosz and great grandchildren Wyatt James, Owen James, John Franklin, Jenny Franklin and Mallory Whipple.

We will celebrate this great man's life with a graveside service at the Greenwood Cemetery in Palouse, WA, on Saturday July 12th at 10:00am, followed by a Potluck lunch at the Hayton Park-Greene Park, Palouse WA.  Casual attire is encouraged.  Jim was a die hard owner and fan of the GreenBay Packers. Feel free to wear some green and gold Packer gear in honor of Jim’s love of the Green Bay Packers, and bring a side dish to share and a chair or blanket to sit on.

In lieu of flowers, we would love to plant a memorial tree garden in honor of his love of Pacific Northwest forestry and his being a true “sticks and leaves man” on the final property he loved and built what he believed to be, "the best thing he had ever built!”  If you would like to contribute to the purchase of a memorial tree please feel free to contact the family.