James Kurpius

James (Jim) A. Kurpius, 83, died peacefully March 15, 2022, in Los Altos, California with his loving wife and two sons by his side.

Jim was born in Staples July 20, 1938 to Julius and Tracy Kurpius. Many of Jim’s greatest memories were of his childhood on the farm where he grew up and the love of farming remained for the duration of his life. He attended Staples High School and in the ninth grade, Jim contracted polio and became paraplegic using a wheelchair the rest of his life. Jim’s grit, determination and persistence continuously defined his life. He graduated from high school in 1956, attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul earning a degree in Accounting and the University of Minnesota earning an MBA.

Jim moved to California where he worked in hospital administration, becoming the CFO of the Children’s Hospital at Stanford. In 1982, Jim was recruited to the law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati as Executive Director and retired as Vice President of Operations in 2002. A highlight of Jim’s work was the development of several of WSG&R’s Palo Alto offices, most notably 650 Page Mill Road.

After retirement Jim’s passions were family, gardening and Stanford sports. Most days Jim could be found in his garden working the earth as he did when he was a boy plowing the fields on his family farm. He often said that his happiest days were plowing those fields and smelling the aroma of the earth.

Although in a wheelchair his entire adult life, Jim remained self-reliant, pursued a highly demanding career and accomplished his goals. He had an adventurous spirit and was dedicated to his family and community. He taught his children to camp and fish, coached youth sports, tutored underserved children, participated in the Bay to Breakers, enjoyed white water rafting, sit skiing, sea kayaking and more. Jim relished long family and solo road trips throughout the West and Midwest, including Baja California, Mexico and Minnesota. Jim’s international travel also included Europe, El Salvador, Mongolia and the Great Wall of China.

Jim is survived by his wife Sue; two sons, James (Meredith) and Justin (Amy); four adored grandchildren, Nolan, Peregrine, Addison and Brady; three brothers, DeWayne (Buzz) Kurpius, Thomas (Sharon) Kurpius, Dennis (Annita) Kurpius and two sisters, Connie (John) Roberts and Theres Poklop.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Irene Lindvall.

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