James 'Jim'
Bestgen
James
"Jim" Bestgen, 65, passed away Monday (Nov. 19, 2007) at Newton
Medical Center.
He was born
April 19, 1942, in Rapid City, S.D., to Dr. Fred P. and Barbara (Kabourek)
Bestgen. When he was 3 years old, James and his family moved to Manhattan. He
attended Luckey Grade School and Luckey High School, where he was a gifted
athlete in football, basketball and baseball. Upon graduation, he attended
Kansas State University. He later transferred to Fort Hays State University in
Hays. Jim graduated with an advanced degree in psychology.
He moved to
Newton in 1973 and was a nationally certified school psychologist. He worked
for USD 373 and served in that capacity for 27 years. He retired in 2000.
At the time
of his death, he was teaching for Hutchinson Community College. He also was a
clinician at the High Plains Mental Health Clinic in Hays.
Jim was a
member of many organizations and boards including Sigma Chi Fraternity,
National Association of School Psychologists, Kansas Association of School
Psychologists, CASA board, and men's golf leagues at Sand Creek Station and Fox
Ridge. He shot a hole in one at the Hesston Golf Club on June 13, 2003.
He married
Joy Schwab on July 29, 1989. She survives at home in Newton. Together they
loved to travel all blue highways in search of the perfect hamburger.
Survivors
include a brother, Dr. Robert F. Bestgen of Albuquerque, N.M.; step-daughters,
Sandy Wolter of Wichita and Sara and Todd White of Prairie Village; grandsons,
Hank Mamalis and Myles White; granddaughters, Lydia Mamalis and Ellie White;
nieces, Bryanne and Mike Conley and their three sons of Oxford, England, and
Jamie and John Lewinger of Albuquerque, N.M.; and a number of cousins.
He was
preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marijoe Bestgen; and a
step-daughter, Jamy Wolter.
Visitation
will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Petersen
Funeral Home in Newton.
Funeral
service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Historic Fox Theatre in Newton.
There will
be a gathering at the Sand Creek Golf Course following the service.
Memorials
may be made to Caring Hands Humane Society to honor Jim's best friend,
Shou-Shou, in care of the funeral home.
