Jim Wildish, a Eugene community leader known for his kindness and philanthropy and whose family’s prominent construction company has been a longtime supporter of the University of Oregon, died Sunday, Jan. 24. He was 89.
In addition to their giving throughout the Eugene-Springfield area, with gifts benefiting youth programs, the arts, natural resources and health organizations, Jim Wildish’s family and his company supported scholarships through PathwayOregon, the UO Alumni Association and the Alexis P. Pennington Memorial Scholarship for students at the Lundquist College of Business.
“Jim Wildish was generous in spirit and deed,” said UO President Michael H. Schill. “If you were lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit with Jim, you came away feeling better about yourself and the world. His generosity, and that of his family and company, have given UO students many wonderful opportunities. We will miss him.”
A regular at Duck football and men’s and women’s basketball games, Jim Wildish and his company gave to Oregon athletics’ Women in Flight program and redevelopment projects at Autzen Stadium and Hayward Field. The company helped relocate the United States Bakery from the corner of Franklin and Villard to pave the way for the UO’s construction of Matthew Knight Arena.
Wildish and his wife, Yvonne, were regulars at UO track meets and softball games. For more than 50 years they hardly missed a track meet, and recently, with the new softball facility, they attended most softball games. The company made a significant donation to the new track facility.
Performing arts also held a special place in Wildish's heart. For years, the Wildish Company sponsored the Oregon Bach Festival, and Jim Wildish was honored with the festival’s Silver Baton award.
“Support from Jim Wildish and his older brother Tom was critical to the financial success of the festival,” said Royce Saltzman, executive director emeritus, and, like Wildish, a Eugene First Citizen. “They were great personal friends of our conductor, Helmuth Rilling, and their kindness was a tremendous influence. His company built bridges, and by supporting the arts he helped build communities.”
Wildish came to Eugene from North Dakota with his family in 1934. His father, Thomas C. Wildish, established what would become Wildish Companies, now in its 85th year. Jim Wildish began working for the family company full time in 1950, at age 18. He moved up the ranks, running a loader in the yard, working on construction projects, becoming the construction manager, and eventually assuming the roles of vice president and president and CEO.
“We could not have had a better role model than my dad,” said Steve Wildish, a 1980 UO graduate, UO Alumni Association board member, and a vice president with the company. “Dad lived by the golden rule, to treat each other the way you want to be treated. He taught us to conduct business that way, with integrity and respect for others.”
Wildish is survived by his wife, Yvonne; two sons; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Son Steve and his wife, Kim, have two boys, Jonathan and Geoffrey. Son Mike and his wife, Sonia, have one daughter, Noelle. Noelle is married to Chad, they have a daughter Elliot and son Reier.
Details about a memorial service will be announced.