James Kim, 1971 - 2006

by Chris Saribay • 12/07/2006 at 09:00 PM

Departing briefly from Macteens? normal publication criteria, I want to take a moment to reflect on the tremendous loss that our community experienced Wednesday afternoon. Not only a respected expert of the very face of technology, CNet editor James Kim was a husband and father to two daughters. In a story that will not come as new to many of you, Kim and his family (his wife Kati, his two daughters Penelope [four] and Sabine [seven months old]) were returning home on November 25th and missed a turn-off on their route. The family, unfazed, mapped out an alternative route that would take them along the snowed-in Bear Camp Road in Oregon, and unfortunately, eventually strain the family vehicle to a point where it could move no farther. They were effectively stuck in the middle of nowhere, with minimal provisions and no means of contact with outside world.

Remarkably, they survived many nights in the vehicle, much in part to James Kim?s resourcefulness and ingenuity. After running out of gas from periodically warming their car, he burnt car tires for warmth. Kim was a true problem solver. It was nothing short of a miracle that they remained alive, that miracle being the truely heroic James Kim. Indeed, his actions led to his family?s safe return, and his personal sacrifice will continue to encourage and empower those whose lives he has touched, none more so than his family. After several days of survival in the family vehicle, James Kim left in search of help on December 2nd, and tragically did not survive long enough in the brutal environment to meet those who were so passionate in finding him alive. His body was found a mile away from the car on December 6th.

James Kim was devoted to his work- it was clear to all of us who saw him on TechTV and CNet. He was dedicated to bringing the gadgety goodness that we thrive upon, and it should come as no surprise that he was considered a rising star by his peers, supervisors and the community at large.  A self-implied geek James Kim was, but also so much more. As evident in his heroic story, he was also deeply devoted to his family, and it surely would have been one of his last thoughts before he left this world for the next.

Those of us at Macteens will not forget James, and will keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers for a long time to come. We pause here to reflect, remember and celebrate what James Kim accomplished in this life.

You will be missed James. May you rest in peace.