James Vincent Mohatt

12/08/1939 — 07/04/2004

From Richland, WA, US | Born in Corvallis, Oregon

James Vincent Mohatt

James V. Mohatt, 64, passed away quietly Sunday night with his wife Maureen at his side, and with the fireworks he always enjoyed exploding in the background. He was surrounded by the love of his wife, daughter, family, and friends throughout his brief and valiant fight against a rapidly growing brain tumor.

Jim was born December 8, 1939, in Corvallis, OR, to George V. and Marianne Weikel Mohatt and was raised in Spokane, W A, where he attended Gonzaga Prep, and Boise, ID, where he graduated from St Teresa's. He loved animals and the outdoors, and was not above organizing his friends into wearing shorts, in lieu of their official school uniforms, on the last day of school. He joined the army after graduation from high school in 1958 and then earned a BA in Biological Sciences from Eastern Washington University. A life. long athlete and sportsman, he played football in high school and was a varsity swimmer in college. He was commissioned an officer in the Army Chemical Corps upon graduation.

Jim met Maureen ''Mo'' Mallon when they were both doing undergraduate work at Eastern; they were married June 20, 1964, and embarked on a life together spanning several cross-country moves before landing in Richland in 1979. They moved first to Fayetteville, NC, where Jim was stationed at Fort Bragg and Maureen taught high school art. They then moved to Port Angeles, W A where Jim was a county Sanitation Engineer and in 1967 to Seattle, where he was an Industrial Hygienist at the University of Washington. There he earned his MPA in Public Health in 1972. Heading east again, Mo and Jim moved to Bloomington, IN, where Jim was Associate Director of Environmental Health and Safety for Indiana University and Maureen added another high school to her growing experience. A new baby, Anne Danielle, added a welcome third to their family with her arrival in 1977. The ''Princess”, unequivocally, was his pride and joy.

Returning west in 1979, Jim began acquiring his well-regarded expertise in matters of environmental and occupational health and safety throughout the Tri-Cities region, and Mo embarked on a long career teaching art at Hanford High School. Jim worked at Rockwell, Westinghouse Hanford, Battelle, and elsewhere, as well as serving as Chief of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Science Officer for the Army at the rank of full Colonel. He received the DrPH in Environmental Health from the University of Oklahoma in 1982. Most recently, his consulting business, JVM and Associates, provided expertise in waste processing, sanitary engineering, and health and safety planning regionally and at the Hanford site. His unpretentious manner camouflaged an extensive knowledge of his field, and he was deeply respected by all who worked with him. He was a loyal friend and a wise mentor to younger colleagues as well as a dedicated and exacting scientist.

Throughout these many journeys and accomplishments Jim stayed in close touch with. family members, who were always central to his life. He was devoted to Maureen and to his daughter Annie, and was also a beloved and generous brother, son, uncle, and great-uncle. Most often hovering in the background at family gatherings, a fond smile

twitching at the comer of his mouth, Jim was always happiest when he could make his loved ones happy - except of course when he was watching ''The Simpson's'', fondling his pen collection, or taking excited nieces and nephews on an outing to the local landfill. He encouraged his daughter, nieces, and nephews in their education, their love of animals, their family bonds, and their sportsmanship. Jim and Maureen were thrilled to welcome Brad Robinson to the family as Annie's husband in 2002.

Jim is survived by his wife Maureen, daughter Annie Robinson and her husband Brad, mother Marianne, sisters Kathi Gass and Janelle Bittner, sister-in-law Colleen Mallon, and nieces and nephews Andrea their Godchild of unconditional devotion, Damon, Terese, and Jerome, as well as numerous friends and co-workers. He will be sorely missed.

He was preceded in death by his father George Mohatt.

A memorial service will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland, on Friday, July 9th at 1:00 pm followed by an interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland. .

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to cancer research at the Hutchinson Cancer Center or the American Cancer Society.

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James Vincent Mohatt

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  • Jim was the commonest smartest man I ever knew. I worked with him and for him. My funniest memory was when we started JVM. He always referred to work as roadkill. I wrote a “white paper” on the different types of scavengers or consultants as we called ourselves. They went from regular employees who hoped the host lasted until they retired, big time gov contractors down to the coyote and magpie. This is where Jim was; light, fast, living off wits to keep from being eaten, survival dependent upon early detection and closing the sale. Jim was challenged by idenifying a niche, getting work that had a completion date and cost fixed price. He was determined to make it his own way against the odds. He was above all courageous and spoke the truth no matter what it cost him. I am deeply honored to have known Jim as a boss, a coworker and a friend. I believe this is not all there is and that one day I will see Jim again; fishing, restoring old lamps and mostly laughing. May God be your strength through this time.

    Charlie Givens
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Mohatt’s loss. She was my art teacher at Hanford. I know how much her family ment to her and I know Mr. Mohatt will be greatly missed. You will be in my prayers and I wish you the best. Love to you and Annie.

    Teri Piazza Wilson, Scott, Brennen and Makenna

    Teri Wilson Piazza
    November 4, 2014
    West, Richland, WA, US
  • I worked with Jim at EMO and he was always an example of what a professional is. He looked out for us young guys and try to help us with his sense of humor and genuine interest in our careers and families. I will miss him.

    John April
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • The Men from the Tuesday Night Men’s Stag meeting wish to express condolences to Jim’s family. We are thankful for the opportunity to share time with Jim for the past couple of years and to lift each other up by sharing our experience strength and hope with each other. Jim will be missed by the regular long term attenders of the group. His sharing will live on in our discussions over the coming years.

    Tom Q.

    Tuesday Men's Stag Group
    November 4, 2014
    Richland/Kennewick, WA, US
  • MO,

    I wish to extend my sympathies to you and Anne. I will miss my good buddy in life. He was truly a friend and a great person. I learned and lot from Jim, not only in work situations, but in life.

    God Bless,

    Lee and Sue Smith

    Lee Smith
    November 4, 2014
    Aiken, SC, 29803, USA
  • I first met Jim on the BWIP project in 1985. He was one of our Health and Safety professionals. Throughout the 19 plus years I have worked on the Hanford site, I have had the good fortune and priveledge to work with Jim on several other projects. He was always willing to help; such an intelligent, kind, and giving man. He always treated everyone with respect and good humor. I can’t imagine the site without his presence. We, his grateful colleagues will miss him so much…I can’t imagine how much his family will miss him. To all of you in his family I offer my sincerest condolences and want you to know how very much Jim was loved and respected by all of us.

    Deb Alexander
    November 4, 2014
    Benton, City, WA, US
  • Jim Mohatt was a wonderful friend and peer and he shall be missed by many. Jim’s dedication to public health helped inspire me to be a better professional. HIs hard work and honesty have always impressed me. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mo and Annie. God bless. Tom, JoAnne, Andy, and April McLaughlin

    Tom McLaughlin
    November 4, 2014
    Pasco, WA, US
  • Jim was the commonest smartest man I ever knew. I worked with him and for him. My funniest memory was when we started JVM. He always referred to work as roadkill. I wrote a “white paper” on the different types of scavengers or consultants as we called ourselves. They went from regular employees who hoped the host lasted until they retired, big time gov contractors down to the coyote and magpie. This is where Jim was; light, fast, living off wits to keep from being eaten, survival dependent upon early detection and closing the sale. Jim was challenged by idenifying a niche, getting work that had a completion date and cost fixed price. He was determined to make it his own way against the odds. He was above all courageous and spoke the truth no matter what it cost him. I am deeply honored to have known Jim as a boss, a coworker and a friend. I believe this is not all there is and that one day I will see Jim again; fishing, restoring old lamps and mostly laughing. May God be your strength through this time.

    Charlie Givens
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Mohatt’s loss. She was my art teacher at Hanford. I know how much her family ment to her and I know Mr. Mohatt will be greatly missed. You will be in my prayers and I wish you the best. Love to you and Annie.

    Teri Piazza Wilson, Scott, Brennen and Makenna

    Teri Wilson Piazza
    November 4, 2014
    West, Richland, WA, US
  • I worked with Jim at EMO and he was always an example of what a professional is. He looked out for us young guys and try to help us with his sense of humor and genuine interest in our careers and families. I will miss him.

    John April
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • The Men from the Tuesday Night Men’s Stag meeting wish to express condolences to Jim’s family. We are thankful for the opportunity to share time with Jim for the past couple of years and to lift each other up by sharing our experience strength and hope with each other. Jim will be missed by the regular long term attenders of the group. His sharing will live on in our discussions over the coming years.

    Tom Q.

    Tuesday Men's Stag Group
    November 4, 2014
    Richland/Kennewick, WA, US
  • MO,

    I wish to extend my sympathies to you and Anne. I will miss my good buddy in life. He was truly a friend and a great person. I learned and lot from Jim, not only in work situations, but in life.

    God Bless,

    Lee and Sue Smith

    Lee Smith
    November 4, 2014
    Aiken, SC, 29803, USA
  • I first met Jim on the BWIP project in 1985. He was one of our Health and Safety professionals. Throughout the 19 plus years I have worked on the Hanford site, I have had the good fortune and priveledge to work with Jim on several other projects. He was always willing to help; such an intelligent, kind, and giving man. He always treated everyone with respect and good humor. I can’t imagine the site without his presence. We, his grateful colleagues will miss him so much…I can’t imagine how much his family will miss him. To all of you in his family I offer my sincerest condolences and want you to know how very much Jim was loved and respected by all of us.

    Deb Alexander
    November 4, 2014
    Benton, City, WA, US
  • Jim Mohatt was a wonderful friend and peer and he shall be missed by many. Jim’s dedication to public health helped inspire me to be a better professional. HIs hard work and honesty have always impressed me. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mo and Annie. God bless. Tom, JoAnne, Andy, and April McLaughlin

    Tom McLaughlin
    November 4, 2014
    Pasco, WA, US
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