Today, we mark two years since our beloved Jim passed away. Our Plews-Ogan family, including Rowan and baby Phoebe, Erin and Hal, and Will and Monika, are gathering for the weekend as we will every year. This year, we’re in Minneapolis. The time together has given us a chance to remember and reflect.
We find ourselves channeling Jim: We splurged for the pricey Russian River California Chardonnay in honor of a family trip to the region, Rowan made fast friends at on the slide at the park, we’ll waterski on the lake and surely howl with joy. Phoebe (~2 months old) is of few words but has bright blue eyes like Jim.
We wonder what Jim would be telling us this weekend. If you knew Jim, you’ll recognize these: “Lead with your imagination.” “Break it down.” “Step by step.” “Keep it real.” “We need a plan.” “Why do you think that is?” “Do you want to know what I think?” “If you don’t know what to do, it’s probably because you don’t have enough information.”
We are so grateful to all of you in this Hummingbird community for buoying us with love, and for the kindness you continue to share wherever you are. We would love for anyone who feels moved to share a story about Jim, or a bit of wisdom he shared with you, by commenting on this post below throughout the week.
Much love to all of you,
The Plews-Ogan Family
Remarkable man. I will never forget him or the lessons he taught me. His turbocharged living tool will always be part of my hope boosting strategy.
We have wonderful memories of Jim regaling us with stories from your early years as a couple – Peggy’s decision to leave school and go off to a foreign land with him to work on a farm!! The story about the sheep!! Our dinner group was helpless with laughter. What a storyteller, and what a joyful soul. We think of him and your family often. This picture is so beautiful!
Jim was a very rare person for so many reasons: skilled physician, foundation founder, marathoner, organist, singer, and most valuable to me in terms of mentoring me, a loving partner to Peggy and devoted father to E & W and H and M (and grandfather too!). Today I remember Jim’s laugh and how easily that flowed: he made me feel like he listened to every word I said, and that I could actually have some funny tales to tell! His departure from this physical world has left an empty chair at the table, one less compassionate pediatrician, the devastating loss of a partner and father/grandfather. Spiritually, he feels close, as if he is taken interest in all we do, listening and laughing when we have a good story or life experience, and offering a shoulder when we stumble. Thanks Jim for the gifts you shared with us. We miss you.
My memory today is of Jimmy on this date in 1976; long before all of you became the center of his universe. He was my first friend and I was his. As you may know, we knew each other even before I had a sister or he had a brother. To honor Jim’s love of music and our country’s 200th birthday; we decided to drive the 4 of us to Boston to see and hear The Boston Pops Orchestra. Our mode of transportation was to be my 1972 4 speed manual transmission Capri. It was about the size of a 4 slice toaster; and equally as safe- long before the age of air bags and seat belts.
Wisely our mothers intervened and put the kybotch on our plans; thus securing (at least for the moment) all of yours and my futures! I love this memory. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to relive it today and to share it with you and yours.
Thinking of the Plews-Ogan family today and always. I know that you are surrounded by love and comfort from your friends and community. I only knew Jim for a short time through our shared ALS experience. He was a force of nature as he battled this awful disease. Much love to you all.
I have known Jim since he and my sister Peggy met and loved each other and married and became part of my family. My husband Price and I have always loved Jim, from the get-go. And as we moved thru the years with Jim, our love and respect for him only grew. Jim became the go-to for all of our adult children (all seven of them), and then their now 10 children, our grandchildren—for every question about health issues, breast feeding issues, fathering issues, marriage issues, personal issues of many sorts. I can’t even begin to remember…. But all I know is that, a number of years ago, I put a saved photo I had of Jim, holding baby grandson Rowan, in December 2023, on my phone screen saver so that it pops up every single time I open my phone to do anything!! It is a constant reminder of Jim’s incredible kindness, dedication to serving and helping others, loving my giant family the way he did for so many years. He is simply unforgettable…a hero in my family, and a beloved brother to me, forever. I am old and not to good at computer things, but will try to include the photo. It is my inspiration, every day, many times a day.
Okay here is the photo that inspires me every single day: Go to Featured Posts and then Blog Archives. Scroll down to Jim’s January 18, 2024 post “Writing With Eye Gaze”, and then to “read more”. At the very end of his post is the photo of Jim and little grandson Rowan on his lap. Historically near the end of his life…how could he smile so big and so positive and so loving??? What could be more inspiring and beautiful?? That’s my Jim….every day.
There’s a Jim-shaped hole in the universe. I will always miss his warmth, humane intelligence, quiet leadership, and connection…also our younger days going for runs by the Charles River in Cambridge, MA, laughing during endless file-card study sessions at HMS, and muffins he made for a friend dropping by.
I found this foundation after searching for updates around Dr. Ogan, and I’m so sorry to read of his loss. He saw my children as their pediatrician and all these years later is the physician against which I hold every provider we’ve seen since. He masterfully balanced knowledge with compassion, and more than once helped me navigate through some first time mom nerves!
He leaves an indelible loss to his family, community, and the world but I am both amazed (and not surprised) to see that he was working to help others until the end.