Dr. James Raymond Stabenau

  General Notes:

Research of Naideen Straw Martsfield

U-T San Diego (CA)
March 6, 2013
Stabenau, James Raymond LA JOLLA-- James Raymond Stabenau died 3-1-13 at sunrise on a warm, beautiful morning at his home in La Jolla, CA. Jim was a creative, cerebral soul with many passions. He was a doctor and an educator, well regarded in the medical community. As an artist, he won many awards for his sculptures and enjoyed expanding his art collection during his travels around the world. He was a prolific writer and his latest book "Red Brain, Blue Brain" was in progress in the last years of his life. He loved fine dining and a good discussion, enjoying book clubs, poker games and entertaining friends. Born in Milwaukee, WI on 5-24-30, Jim attended Marquette Univ. and the School of Medicine, where he graduated Magna cum laude and first in his class. He met and married Joan Straw (Stabenau) in 1953. They had two children that he was very proud of, Victoria Keswick (graphic designer) and Erik Stabenau (stuntman). Jim completed his medical internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital and pursued his medical career at the National Cancer Institute. He then continued his education at Strong Memorial Hospital Department of Psychiatry. From 1961 to 1969, Jim worked at the National Institutes of Health, publishing many papers, including his studies of schizophrenia in twins. In 1969 he became the first Chairman of Psychiatry at the newly opened Univ. of Connecticut Health Center. While cruising the Greek Islands, he met the love of his life, Barbara (Stabenau). They became soul mates and married in 1981. Upon retirement from the university, Jim and Barb moved to Sacramento, CA, where he became employed part time at Catholic Healthcare West. Jim and Barb built a lovely home, where he continued his interests in sculpting, travel, art collecting and writing. In 2009, they decided to change their view and moved to La Jolla, CA where Jim enjoyed opera, galleries and other cultural venues. In addition to his wife and children, Jim is survived by his brother John Stabenau, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He loved life and enjoyed each day to the fullest. We will miss his enthusiasm for living.

James married Living

James next married Living