James Herbert Reid, 78, passed away on July 13, 2025.
Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on March 23, 1947, Jim graduated from Oberlin in the class of 1967. He majored in French and studied with the Oberlin-in-France program. As a newly declared major in French, he was determined to do his best. He and another classmate pledged to speak only French during their three months’ stay in France, garnering both admiration and occasional annoyance from his fellow group of 18 students.
Jim earned his doctorate at Yale University in French literature. He taught from 1987 to 2011 at Illinois State University, where he was valued as a warm and welcoming colleague. The author of two books on the French novel, he was recognized as an avid reader. His colleagues affectionately referred to him as “Jim Read.” His intellectual life was ambitious as he contributed to academic conferences, book clubs, reading groups, and numerous scholarly publications.
He and his wife Julie Prandi met while each was visiting the Unitarian Universalist Church for the first time. They were married there and recently this year celebrated their 20th anniversary during a trip to Kauai in Hawaii.
Jim cherished hiking in the mountains. He frequently walked at Funks Grove and Merwin Preserve near Bloomington, Illinois, where he loved hearing birds, listening to the wind, and spotting the deer. He savored every season with practically daily walks around nearby Franklin Park. Music was also a major activity for him. He would often hum a tune to fit an occasion. As a teenager he played accordion in a dance band but he switched to the piano to concentrate on classical and jazz numbers in addition to singing as a valued tenor voice in several choirs.
Jim was always ready to offer a helping hand and will be remembered for his kindness and ability to connect emotionally. In addition to translating for the Immigration Project and tutoring with Star Literacy, he served meals at Safe Harbor and packed food at Midwest Food Bank. Jim remained a generous supporter of many charities. As a church member, he visited the sick and helped organize services as a Worship Associate.
In his last years he suffered from Alzheimer’s and was not able to do some of the things he loved.
He is survived by his wife, Julie Prandi of Bloomington, his daughter Laurie Randell of Alexandria, VA, and his brother Robert Reid, Jr. of Daytona Beach Shores, FL. Jim was predeceased by his late wife Barbara Kurz and his parents Robert Reid and Lorna Cunningham Reid.
Memorials may be made to Doctors Without Borders. Beck Memorial Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to Jim's surviving wife, Julie Prandi. Her e-mail is jprandi@iwu.edu.