James Westfall

James Doyle Westfall, age 73 of New Harmony IN passed away Monday February 4, 2013. He was born September 8, 1939 in New Harmony, the son of Doyle and Helen (Endicott) Westfall. Jim was a Class of 1957 graduate of New Harmony High School and attended the University of Southern Mississippi graduating with degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics. He received two masters’ degrees from the University of Southern California in Computer Information Systems and Software Engineering. He was a Vietnam veteran and a career officer in the United States Army attaining the rank of Major. He began his military career as an office machine repair person in Europe. He then attended flight school and upon completion was deployed for his first tour in Vietnam. Upon returning he was first a flight instructor and then joined the Corp of Engineers, competing with West Point graduates while he, at the time, had only a high school diploma. After returning from another tour in Vietnam, he completed his first college degree and was then transferred to Hawaii where he became a Project Officer developing a new Army Supply System. During his Army career he received 41 Air Medals, the Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal with “V” and others. He retired from the Army after 20 years of service and then began his second career as a professor, and then Department Chair of the University of Evansville Computer Science Department. He was also a founding member of Evansville On-line, now owned by Synergy. Upon retiring from the University of Evansville, the family moved back to New Harmony where he became active in the community and local school. He was a member of Kiwanis, the American Legion, Working Men’s Institute, and an active member of his church. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Phyllis (Fisher) Westfall of New Harmony; his three daughters, Angie Westfall of Kailua, Hawaii, Lisa (Danny) Harrison of Evansville, and Lori Espenlaub of New Harmony; his eight grandchildren, Whitney (Tyson)Martin, Mark Embrey, Zachary Hasenyager, Ashley Hasenyager, Shane Espenlaub, Megan Embrey, Taylor Espenlaub and Matthew Witherspoon; and three great-grandchildren, Kolby Logel, Khloe Hotz, and Teagan Martin. He is also survived by his sister Sally (Charles) Huck and a niece, nephews, and cousins. Family and friends will gather from 2:00pm to 4:00pm on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the St Stephens Episcopal Church Parish House, 318 Main Street in New Harmony. Funeral services will follow at 5:00pm at the St Stephens Episcopal Church. Memorial contributions can be made to St Stephens Episcopal Church or the Ribeyre Gymnasium Restoration Fund.

James Westfall

September 8, 1939 - February 4, 2013