Our son, husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, Jim Franz, left us on August 12th at the age of 62, after being diagnosed with Stage IV cancer on March 1st, 2010. He fought with all he had during these months, and was taken from us much too soon. He had much more to contribute to science and life to live. Jim was a man of highest intelligence, character, compassion, honesty, and love. From Jim's birth on June 20th, 1948, he brought much joy and laughter, love and pride to his parents, Jane and Al Franz, and his older brother Paul. At the age of five, they moved from Seattle to Othello, WA and started a family farm. He grew up as a farm boy, but had different plans for his career. A bright and curious boy, he had many successful chemistry experiments in the basement kitchen and at school to the consternation of many. He never lost his interest in chemistry, and went on to earn his BS degree from the University of Washington in 1970 and his doctorate from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana in 1974. His professional career at PNNL began 36 years ago. He has been a PNNL Fellow since 1995. His achievements include: Program Chair, Fuel Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society, 1995; Chair, Fuel Chemistry Division, ACS, 2003; Director-At-Large, Fuel Chemistry Division, ACS, 2005 - 2006; Member of editorial boards of International Journal of Chemical Kinetics and Energy & Fuels. His primary areas of research were free radical chemistry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. He was the author of over 85 scientific publications and four patents. In his day to day activities at work, he was a tremendous mentor who helped people realize their potential. He was loved and respected by his colleagues at PNNL. Chemistry was not his only intellectual pursuit. In high school he taught himself German from the magazine Der Spiegel. He had an insatiable interest in American history; readings from Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln would bring tears to his eyes. He believed in the American dream and the values of our founding fathers. At age 50, Jim learned to fly. He loved flying Bergstrom's Cessna CES1090 and was ecstatic on his first solo flight. He went on to earn his private pilot's license and instrument rating. Jim married his partner and love of his life, Charlene, on August 17th, 1974. Through the thick and thin of marriage, raising children and building careers, their commitment and love to each other and their daughters, Kathryn, Elizabeth, and Natalie, grew stronger. Jim was extremely proud of his daughters for both their achievements and personal character. His family will miss his love, support, and unmatchable sense of humor. Those who knew Jim will always remember his humor. He made life fun by highlighting the absurd and cracked jokes even in his last days. He was planning to go explode M80s in tin cans as soon as he got out of the hospital. He is survived by his father Albert, wife Charlene, daughters Kathryn, Elizabeth, and Natalie, brother Paul, and three nephews. We will miss his presence every day. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, August 21 at 11am at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 640 N Columbia Center Blvd, Kennewick, WA. Donations in Jim's memory may be made to: The AOPA Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Foundation, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick MD 21701-9924 or Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 640 N. Columbia Ctr Blvd, Kennewick, WA 99336.