James Joseph Renier

James J. (Jim) Renier passed from this earth on November 26, 2019, in his 90 ^th year, leaving an uncommon legacy of family dedication, oft-recognized business accomplishment, and community service that reached around the world.  As a humble school boy from a Belgian immigrant family in Duluth, MN, whose father rose from bottle washer to president of a brewery, he learned the value of hard work, sincerity, integrity, love, and wisdom over intellect.  Jim was consistently motivated by a desire to change the world for the better.  He often counseled his 8 children and others to become successful so they could leverage their success to help many more people.  Indeed that is what he did.  With a formal education that included a diploma from St. Jean Baptiste High School in Duluth, a Bachelor of Science from the College (now University) of St. Thomas in St. Paul, and a doctorate in physical chemistry from Iowa State College (now University), he began a long and illustrious career at Honeywell, Inc. in 1956, first as a senior research scientist and ultimately as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  Notwithstanding his numerous professional accomplishments, including a significant restructuring of the company during the late 1980s, Jim was best known for and most proud of his efforts to improve the lives of children.  Heeding his own advice, he leveraged his standing in the business community and his problem-solving skills to engage government, education, and health-and-human-service agencies to help establish United Way’s “Success by 6” early-childhood development program and New Vistas School, a public school for single mothers and their preschool-aged children, located in Honeywell’s corporate headquarters.  His collaborative efforts to make a difference in children’s futures have been replicated across the country and the world.  To his family and those who knew him, Jim was like gravity.  While we will miss his daily presence in our lives, we are inspired by his genius in bringing communities together to solve some of our nation’s most pressing problems.

The family wishes to thank the many caregivers and providers who have assisted Jim over the years, including Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Little Hospice, and especially Maria and Joey Linder.  Jim is preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Mitchell Renier, parents Octaaf Julius and Emma Degryse Renier, and by his brother Leon Renier.  He is survived by his wife of 40 years Christine Clark Renier; 8 children: Mark J. Renier (Debra), Joseph M. Renier (Connie), Michael A. Renier (Elizabeth), Beth C. Renier, Daniel T. Renier (Heather), Anna C. Renier (Gunnar Duner), Jessica J. Renier, Rebecca M. Renier; 17 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; 3 nieces; 2 nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, 155 County Road 24, Medina, MN.  Luncheon to follow in the church hall.  Visitation at church after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 3.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the College of St. Benedict (the Renier Family Scholarship Fund for single mothers) and the University of St. Thomas (Jim and Chriss Renier Endowed Scholarship).