An 86-year-old, retired Geneva doctor died Dec. 8 from injuries he sustained from a late November car accident when he was attempting to cross West State Street (Route 38) as a pedestrian.

The 400 block of West State Street in Geneva. (CREDIT: Google Maps)

According to two witnesses on the scene, James C. Pritchard, 100 block of Foxford Lane, was walking across the road around 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29 in the 400 block of West State Street in downtown Geneva.

A 74-year-old Geneva woman was driving her 2007 Nissan Xterra westbound on State Street. According to the driver’s statement at the scene, she did not see Pritchard crossing the roadway.

Geneva Police Department and Fire Department personnel were dispatched around 6:35 p.m. Nov. 29 for an accident involving a pedestrian. Responding officers spoke with Pritchard, who was conscious and breathing.

He was transported to Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva and was later transferred to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove for additional medical treatment.

The driver was not injured.

Good Samaritan Hospital staff informed police at 3 p.m. Dec. 8 that Pritchard, a former chief pathologist and director of laboratories at Delnor-Community hospitals, had died as a result of his injuries sustained from the accident. The accident remains under investigation by the Geneva Police Department, and no charges have been filed to date.

Questions should be directed to Geneva Police Cmdr. Brian Maduzia by calling 630-232-4736 or sending him an email.

SOURCE: city of Geneva news release

Celebration of Life Set For Dec. 27

James C. Pritchard, 86, died peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Good Samaritan Hospital in the loving embrace of his family, of injuries sustained in an accident.

Born in Pontiac, IL, on Jan. 19, 1932, Jim was the elder son of Marion and Iris (Sullivan) Pritchard.

(CREDIT: Yurs Funeral Home website)

Jim was revered as a medical doctor for his professionalism and compassion and in his personal life for his kind and generous spirit. He was also well known for his avocation as an accomplished classical pianist, performing with local symphony orchestras and at Chicago-area concerts.

He received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois in 1954, majoring in Chemistry and Zoology, and a medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1958, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Honor Medical Society.

Following medical school, Jim interned at DC General Hospital, Washington DC, and then completed a Pathology Residency at the University of Illinois Research Hospital in Chicago in 1963.  Jim served as the Chief Pathologist and Director of Laboratories of Delnor-Community Hospitals from 1963 until his retirement in 2002.

He was a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Illinois Alumni Association, past president of the University of Illinois Medical Alumni Association, former Clinical Associate Professor of the University of Illinois College of Medicine and established the Pritchard Medical Student Scholarship at the University of Illinois.

Jim had a passion for travel that took him to 80 countries and all seven continents, from the Silk Road in Asia to the slot canyons in Southern Utah. He especially enjoyed taking his family and grandchildren on adventures throughout the world.

He was a long-time member of the Geneva Golf Club, and The Union League Club, The Arts Club and The Casino in Chicago.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Bonnie Jensen Pritchard; three children, Thomas (Michelle) Pritchard, Brett (Toni) Pritchard and Susan (Robert) Bitman; and six grandchildren, Leonore Pritchard, Conrad, Olivia and Alden Pritchard, and Peter and Isabel Bitman.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 5 p.m. Dec. 27, 2018, at the Geneva Golf Club, 831 South St., Geneva.

Donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Pritchard Medical Student Scholarship at the University of Illinois.

For family and friends who would like to make a gift in his memory, please make it to: UIC James Pritchard M.D. Medical Scholarship Fund, #773186. For donations by mail, make checks payable to: University of Illinois Foundation “make a note in memo” James Pritchard M.D. Medical Scholarship Fund # 773186. Mail to: University of Illinois Foundation, 1305 West Green Street, MC-386, Urbana, IL 61801.

Visit Web:  http://medicine.uic.edu/givenow  Utilize “indicate a fund or program that may have special meaning to you.” Type in “UIC James Pritchard M.D. Medical Scholarship Fund # 773186” As you complete gift payment info, check the box for {} This is a Tribute Gift. To leave an online condolence for the family, visit the funeral home’s obituary page at www.yursfuneralhomes.com. For more information, please call Yurs Funeral Home of St. Charles, 630-584-0060.