James Knute Loverude

James Knute Loverude obituary

James K. Loverude passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 in Westhampton Beach, New York at the age of 87. He was born in Great Falls, Montana on August 14, 1933 to Reverend Otto R. Loverude and Edna (Taylor) Loverude.  He will be laid to rest at the Sarasota National Cemetery, Florida.  

He is survived by his sister Barbara Wood and nieces and nephews Roger (Susan) Meade of Asheville, North Carolina, Steve (Debra) Wood of Glastonbury, Connecticut, Marilyn (Sam) Warlick of Tampa, Florida, Kathleen “Woody” (James) Swinson of Ellicott City, Maryland, Deborah Wood (Sue) of Middletown, New York, William (Deborah) Wood of Ellicott City, Maryland, a plethora of great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews, special friends Ora Salmaggi, Bob Beck and Michael Rutkowski, and of course his dogs Bubba, Patsy, (preceded him in death) and his cats Geoffrey and Bridgit.

He was the only son and the youngest of three children. (His sister Ruth Meade preceded him in death.) The family moved frequently from Great Falls, Montana to Willows, California then to Lowell, Massachusetts where James graduated from Lowell High School.  He received his undergraduate and master’s degree from Harvard University. He performed in the Harvard Glee Club and then continued his singing while serving three years in the Army.

He had a long career as a VP for the Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City. He retired to his beloved property at Westhampton Beach. Jim loved working in his yard (he moved plants and trees around like they were furniture adding new plants and getting rid of old ones). He loved to travel to see museums, the arts, and experience the different cultures.  He enjoyed yearly trips to London, Paris, Washington D.C., San Francisco, San Diego and Philadelphia. Southern India was his favorite for the art and the people.  He was passionate about trains and built a huge train garden that included a round house and scenery.

His love of gardens, nature, and arts led him to be a member of the National Audubon Society, NY Botanical Gardens, Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian, and the World Wildlife Federation.

 Due to Covid a private service will be held at a later date.  One of Jim’s great joy in life was visiting the NY Botanical gardens and in lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to the New York Botanical Gardens https://www.nybg.org/join-support/  If you wish to send a check, please send it to: Director of Planned Giving, the New York Botanical Gardens, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY.  Arrangements were entrusted to Werner-Rothwell Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach, New York. Condolences can be made on their website.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Knute Loverude, please visit our floral store.