James P. Lovegren

Aug. 10, 1932 - July 2, 2018

James Pittman Lovegren died on July 2 in San Francisco. He was born in Aitkin, Minnesota, and was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Lovegren and Elma (Pittman) Lovegren, his brother and sister-inlaw, Bill & Bunny Lovegren, and his nephew Paul Lovegren. He is survived by nephews BJ (Debbie Miller) and Kellin Lovegren and niece Kathryn (Randy) Overmann, and several grandnieces, and by friend Paul Santens. James was a great friend to many people.

James graduated from Aitkin High School and took nursing and MPH degrees from the University of Minnesota. He moved to Northern California, where he worked as a nurse, a public health educator, and as executive director of the regional Society of Public Health Educators. He and his partner, Dan Bennett, restored and furnished one of San Francisco’s beautiful Victorian houses and lived there many years.

A long-time music lover, James was a fan of opera and symphonic music and of marching bands. After volunteering at the San Francisco Symphony for some years, he was asked to run the gift shop there, which he did with his customary flair. During the AIDS epidemic he volunteered at Coming Home Hospice, continuing his work there until shortly before his death. A memorial gathering will be held at 1:00 pm on his birthday, August 10, at 824 Grove Street, San Francisco. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Coming Home Hospice.