James W. Beattie ’53 died on January 13, 2026, in Rye, New Hampshire.

(The following was provided by the Direct Cremation of the Seacoast on January 13, 2026:)

James W. Beattie ’53

Rye, NH- James “Jim” Beattie, 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Webster at Rye.

Jim was born on June 8, 1931, in Cambridge, MA, the son of the late James and Doris Beattie. He was a graduate of Belmont High School and went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College, followed by his medical degree from Cornell Medical School.

In 1956, Jim married the love of his life, Marilyn “Lyn” Beattie. Together, they moved to France while Jim served in the U.S. Army at Rochefort-sur-Mer, an experience that sparked a lifelong love of European travel. After returning to the United States, they relocated to Seattle, WA, in 1961, where Jim completed his residency in Pathology.

In 1965, the Beatties returned to New England and settled in Andover, MA. Jim spent many years serving as a pathologist at Lawrence General Hospital. Even in retirement, he remained devoted to medicine, volunteering with IMEC (International Medical Equipment Corporation), where he helped refurbish medical equipment for use in developing nations.

Jim was an avid mountain hiker and a respected pillar of the New England climbing community. He served on the Appalachian Mountain Club 4000-Footer Committee and was a member of the High Pointers Club of the United States. Alongside Lyn, he successfully hiked the high points of forty-eight states and participated in trekking expeditions throughout Europe, South America, and Nepal.

Known for his warmth and social spirit, Jim organized annual car rallies and ski weekends for his colleagues. In his later years, he enjoyed hosting weekly duplicate bridge games with friends.

A lifelong supporter of education, Jim funded college educations for his children. In a final act of generosity, he donated his body to Dartmouth Medical School to help train future physicians.

Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife of sixty-four years, Marilyn “Lyn” Beattie; his sisters, Pamela Dotter and Barbara Abbot; and his grandson, Jhaime Dye.

He is survived by his son, Douglas Beattie and his wife, Laurie, of Rye, NH; his daughter, Susan Anderson and her husband, David, of Bartlett, NH; his grandsons, Michael Harunkiewicz and his wife, Bethany, and Steven Beattie and his wife, Elian; and his great-grandchildren, Kara, Ryan, and Wells.