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In Memoriam James Donald Killian
December 2, 1927 – November 8, 2022
  
Karen Korb Moawad today informed us of the passing of James D. Killian. Many of us remember him as our English teacher at Piedmont, and he is much esteemed by many of us. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut on December 2, 1927.
He graduated from Immaculate Conception after completing eighth grade. He graduated high school from St. Thomas Seminary in June 1946. He graduated from Teachers College of Connecticut in June 1950 and graduated with a master’s degree in English from Boston University in 1951. He then served two years in the army during the Korean War. After his discharge from the army, he continued his studies at U.C. Berkeley as a PhD candidate where he taught Subject A, also known as “bonehead English.”
When he found another PhD candidate was writing his thesis on his chosen subject, he was dejected at having to start over again. A friend urged him to apply for a teaching job open at Piedmont High School. Principal Theodore Bystrom interviewed him and hired him. Bystrom wanted a teacher who could assure him that Piedmont seniors would pass the UC Subject A exam. He taught English at Piedmont from December 1956 to June 1988.
He lived in Berkeley for 15 years following his retirement, keeping in touch with many of his former students. Eventually, feeling the call of his birthplace in Connecticut, he moved to the planned community of Farmington Woods in Avon, Connecticut where he was elected Representative from District II of Farmington Woods.
We all have our memories of Jim Killian. He attended many of our class reunions. Our world is a sadder, lonelier place with his passing.
Our Memories of Jim Killian
“Of all of my teachers at PHS, Mr. Killian, by far, made the biggest impression on me and, more than that, better prepared me for college than any other teacher. He had very high standards and then inspired and motivated his students to live up to those standards. Although he was a tough grader, when it came time for final grades with college admissions on the line, he was often willing to quietly bend his high standards to help out those students who he knew had made the effort he required. I’ve thought of him many times over the years and now that he is gone, feel badly that I hadn’t reached out to let him know how much he meant to me.”
-- Ron Rubenstein
*****
My husband Jim and I had many memorable lunches and dinners with Jim K. while he was able. We often picked him up at OAK and headed back to our home for a meal or to one of his favorite restaurants. I will always remember how much we laughed when in his presence!
We visited him many times in his homes over the years. Jim owned a gorgeous condo in Berkeley. (FYI, Dolores Bertoloso lived at the same address in one of Jim’s condos.) His retail store in Berkeley had beautiful objects to please the best decorators. His home in Connecticut was beautifully appointed and his decorating skills were amazing.
He attended our wedding back in 1985 in the wine country of Napa Valley.
I’m feeling sad but know that Jim had a good long life and enjoyed his connections with "his PHS kids."
-- Sharon Young Stehr
*****
Karen Korb Moawad sent this photograph of herself with Jim Killian two years ago.
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Sue Gross
To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee –
And revery.
The revery alone will do
If bees are few.
...Emily Dickinson (1830 – 1886)
RIP dear Jim Killian.
Peter Lomhoff
Jim Killian was the best teacher I ever had, and with college, grad school and law school, I've had a lot of them. He had a way of bringing out the best in us and making it enjoyable and memorable at the same time. I think of him often, even these many years later, when something reminds me of something about him. Recently someone pointed out some well written piece in the New Yorker, and it was Mr. Killian who said if you want to learn to write well, read the New Yorker. As Sue Gross reminds us, whenever I come across Emily Dickenson I can't help remembering how he called her Old 'Em. We were really blessed to learn from him and to know him!