MARQUETTE - James L. Rapport, 11/14/1928 8/29/2011.
With great sadness and love, we announce that James (Daddy Bear) Rapport died on August 28, 2011. He was the husband, father, and teacher that everyone deserves. James (Jim/Gym) Rapport was raised in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Jim attended New Philadelphia Central Senior High School, and he was especially proud that Woody Hayes (of Ohio State University fame) was coach of his Jr. High School football team, the 'Fighting Quakers.' He received his bachelor's (1950) and master's (1951) degrees from Western Reserve University. Between his master's and doctoral degrees, Jim proudly served in US Army counterintelligence, stationed in Austria (Salzburg and Vienna). He earned his doctorate in Theatre from The Ohio State University in 1960.
Jim joined the faculty at Northern Michigan University (NMU) in 1958. Known widely as Daddy Bear to the students he adored, he designed the Forest Roberts Theatre and grew the theatre major that continues to flourish at NMU. Jim taught various courses in speech and drama for 40 years, including acting, directing, costuming, history of theatre, modern drama, fundamentals of speech, and more than 150 sections of Intro to Theatre. He taught humanities and honors classes, and he was named Distinguished Professor and Professor Emeritus at NMU.
Loving husband to Karlyn for 56 years; devoted father to Adele, John, Joe, Gaylia, Lisa, Mary, Ric, and David, and Daddy Bear to countless; adoring grandfather to Joseph, Clara, Yael and Lev. He is also survived by his sister Libby and her husband Stanley Brody, and sisters-in-law Lourie Rapport, Sherry Rapport, and Miriam Rapport, and many much loved nieces and nephews. His beloved siblings Bashie, Michael, Bill, and Sam preceded him in death.
Among his most cherished pastimes were his annual summer trips to the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford Ontario, and Spring break trips to New York, leading troops of students and members of the Marquette community. His favorite pastime, of course, was bragging about his beloved children and grandchildren. He also loved visiting his family across the country, crossword puzzles, the Grumpy Old Men's Club, and Rotary.
Visitation will be on Friday, September 2nd beginning at 12 noon at the Forest Roberts Theatre at NMU. The memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. led by Rabbis Joe Rooks Rapport and Gaylia R. Rooks followed by interment at Park Cemetery in the Marks Memorial Section.
Jim's name will be added to the Kaddish list at Sabbath Evening Services Friday at 7 p.m. at Temple Beth Sholom, Elm at Prairie in Ishpeming near the Al Quaal Recreation Area. Friends of all faiths are welcome.
The James L. Rapport scholarship was established in 1998 at the NMU Forest Roberts Theatre. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the fund in his memory. Donor page for the NMU Foundation (can be found on the right in the links section), for contribution "Designation" select "Other" and specify "James L. Rapport Scholarship."
The Rapport family extends their deepest thanks to the Marquette and NMU communities for their love and support, as well as to the staff of the cardiac intensive care and intensive care units at Marquette General Hospital for their outstanding care.
The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the family where memories may be shared at www.canalefuneral.com and on www.facebook.com/james.rapport1.
