James Fosdick

MIDDLETON - James Albert Fosdick died February 10, 2015, at Attic Angel Place.
Jim was born in his parents' house in Liberty, Indiana, August 29, 1918, the only child of Donald Beauman and Helen Maibaugh Fosdick. He earned his bachelor's in English at Hillsdale College (MI) in 1940 and his master's in Journalism from Northwestern University in 1941. While serving in the Army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, he met a receptionist at the Adjutant General's office, Pauline(Polly) Thornton Boswell. They married Oct. 1, 1945.
After leaving the Army as a Captain in 1946, Jim taught photojournalism at Kent State University for 12 years. He directed nationally known short courses in photojournalism. During this period Polly gave birth to James Stewart, Deborah Lee and Scott Beauman. In 1958, the family moved to Madison, WI, where Jim earned his PhD in Journalism and directed the University of Wisconsin photojournalism program until retirement in 1984, at which time the UW darkroom was given his name. He also taught magazine courses and chaired the journalism extension program.
Although he taught news photography, Jim had a life-long passion for nature, which he indulged through frequent travel with Polly. His most common subject was Door County, where he and Polly built a cottage.
Jim and Polly were members of The First Congregational Church in Madison and later of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Jim was also an active member of Rotary and loved to play golf and bridge at Blackhawk Country Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife and is survived by children Jim, Debby and Scott and by four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, who will miss him dearly.
Services will be held Friday, February 20, at 11:30 am in the Garden Room at Attic Angel Place, 8301 Old Sauk Road, Middleton. Memorials are welcome at handsofpeace.org and stmaryofthesnows.com.


Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Rd, Madison
(608) 238-3434