August 14, 1940 — June 10, 2024

Dr. James (Jim) Arnold Verbrugge, Athens, Georgia, passed away June 10, 2024. A memorial service for Jim was held on Saturday, June 15, at 10 a.m., in the chapel at Presbyterian Village of Athens, with Rev. Christin Norman officiating and Alan Bunn, pianist. There is a Place of Quiet Rest and A Mighty Fortress is Our God were sung by the congregation. Special music was a recording of Amazing Grace sung by The Blind Boys of Alabama.

Dr. James (Jim) Arnold Verbrugge was born August 14, 1940, and died June 10, 2024. He was born in Leota, Minn., to parents James Verbrugge and Jennie Jongetjes Verbrugge. He attended elementary and high school in local Christian schools in Leota and Edgerton, Minn. During his high school years, Jim met his future bride, Marcia Burdell Roskamp, whom he married on August 21, 1962. Jim and Marcia enjoyed more than 61 years together.

Jim attended Dordt Junior College in Sioux Center, Iowa, for two years. He then transferred to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he graduated in 1963 with an undergraduate degree in Economics. He then attended the University of Kentucky, earning his MA in Economics in 1965 and his PhD in Economics in 1968.

After his education, Jim accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of Georgia in the fall of 1968 where he spent his entire academic career, retiring in 2002 as Professor and GA Banking Association Chair of Banking. During his tenure at UGA, he served as Department Head of Banking and Finance for 25 years.

Outside of his academic career, Jim developed a passion for and expertise in the collection of antique rugs from the Caucasus, SW Persia, and Central Asia regions. He and Marcia held public exhibitions of these rugs at the UGA Museum and the Calvin College Museum of Fine Arts as well as an online exhibition in collaboration with the UGA Museum.

Jim was a founding member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Athens and served many roles during his time there. He was an avid golfer and gardener. After retirement, Jim and Marcia enjoyed traveling the world.

He is survived by his wife, Marcia; son Ross Michael Verbrugge; daughter-in-law Susan Webb Verbrugge; grandson Jacob Tyler Verbrugge; and granddaughter Kinsey Webb Verbrugge.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, three older sisters: Elizabeth Van’t Hof, Marie Schelhaas, and Lorraine Van Nieuwenhuizen; and a son, Jason Mark Verbrugge.

He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.