James Arvid Svoboda

Jim Svoboda passed away on January 11, 2020 at the young age of 85.  He was the beloved husband of Evelyn and father of Susan Weeren (Rob), Shelley Svoboda (Neil Rhodes), Sandy Selby (Chip), and Steven (Emma).  He loved his seven grandchildren who never ceased to make him proud:  Megan, William, Madeline, Hannah, Maxwell, Georgia, and Caroline.  An avid outdoorsman from an early age growing up in the open country of Montana, he carried that love into his life in Maryland with many memorable camping and cross-country family adventures as they grew up. 

Born on June 28, 1934 in Great Falls, Montana he was a graduate of Fort Benton High School and Montana State University where he earned his PhD in Entomology.  It was a post-doctorate fellowship that brought him east to the USDA labs in Beltsville, Maryland where he had a long and productive career as an early biochemist/research entomologist.  Jim was a pioneer in isolating and identifying the compounds of insect life-cycles, laying the groundwork for pest control operations and food supply. 

He met Evie in 1959 on a blind date in Montana where she was teaching.  They married  the following year and had 3 young daughters before moving east in 1967 and establishing their family home in Bowie, with their son being born soon there after.  That home became a beehive of activity, filled with love, children and grandchildren.  A second home in Oceans Pines was a source of great delight in his life and many summers.  His love of the outdoors manifested in his home gardens on the edge of the forest or near the water.  His rose gardens and fern grotto are testimonies to his abilities and dedication.  While he had a love/hate relationship with the squirrels, moles, and chipmunks that will long be remembered, his daily routine always included filling his many birdfeeders in the backyard.  Also a part of his later years, he was justifiably proud of his strict daily routine starting the day with 6:30am Mass followed by swimming and visiting at the nearby Sportfit Pool. 

Outside of his family, his main foundation was his Catholic faith.  As a parishioner for 53 years, the gifts he brought to Sacred Heart Church were numerous: singing in the choir, lectoring, cantoring, and attending daily Mass.  While he gave these gifts to the Church, the Church gave so much in return. 

Along the many avenues of his life, Jim was a loyal and caring friend to so many.  His wit and good-natured smile were never far away.  He will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to, Sacred Heart Church, 16501 Annapolis Road, Bowie MD  20715 or American Lung Association, 55 W Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601