Jim Spetzer SCORE Member

James Anthony Spetzer May 28, 1942 - November 21, 2009 James Anthony Spetzer, 67, of State College, died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born May 28, 1942, in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Joseph and Carmella Spetzer. On January 6, 1968, he married Bonnie Yeakel, who survives. A 1960 graduate of LaSalle High School, Philadelphia, he also graduated from Villanova University in 1964, where he received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He was a director of engineering at Raytheon before retiring in July 2007 with 29 years service. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Jennifer A. Isenberg and her husband, Ryan, of Alpharetta, Ga. and Jon A. Spetzer, of Bellefonte; five grandchildren, Nicholas, Keri and Caitlyn Spetzer and Jackson and Karsen Isenberg; and a brother, Joseph Spetzer Jr. and his wife, Anne, of Chadds Ford. He was a member of the Pine Grove Mills Presbyterian Church. He also was a counselor for SCORE, a member of OLLI, Hess Softball League, Raytheon Softball League, and was an avid downhill skier and bicycler. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, at Koch Funeral Home in State College. The funeral service was held on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009.

Source: Centre Daily Times, Monday, November 23, 2009

The kind of man that Jim was is reflected by a comment from one of his clients who learned of his death. See quote below.  Source:  Pete Horstman, SCORE Assignment Manager.  

"I am stunned!  Jim was the best thing that ever happened to me, from a business point of view.  He was a very talented and kind man...Jim just seemed to have it all.  I am very sad to hear about his passing and will miss him a great deal"

Eulogy for Jim Spetzer, December 1, 2009 Memoral Service delivered by John R. Vincenti

     When I think about Jim Spetzer, “The Great Man Theory” comes to mind. According to 19^th century commentator and historian Thomas Carlyle, that person is one who reflects his belief that shapes others in their personal lives with divine inspiration.  Jim Spetzer was that “Great Man.”  My recollection of Jim comes from my experiences and interactions with him as a SCORE counselor and SCORE member.

     For those of you who are not familiar with SCORE, it is a nationwide organization with a local chapter that helps people with free and confidential counseling in small business matters.  Jim was not only a counselor, he was a colleague, a friend, and definitely a team player who worked with other members on various tasks.  On November 17th, Jim canvassed over 200 booths at the Business and Industry EXPO at the Bryce Jordan Center and made contacts and plans for future programs.  Jim was also a program designer, in fact Jim was the major architect of SCORE’s new Business Basic Workshops planned for 2010.

    When it came to counseling and working with others, Jim was a pivotal member.  When Peter Horstman, our SCORE Client Manager contacted Jim’s clients and informed them of his passing, one client responded to his email and wrote and I quote,

  “I am stunned!  Jim was the best thing that ever happened to me, from a business point of view.  He was a very talented and kind man…Jim just seemed to have it all.  I am very sad to hear about his passing and will miss him a great deal.” 

Speaking on behalf of all local SCORE members, WE WILL MISS YOU JIM!

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