In Memoriam: Jim Larrabee
Jim Larrabee, Viola Ward Brinning and Elbert Calhoun Brinning Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Biochemistry, died March 17 at his home in Middlebury. He was a beloved teacher, prolific scholar, and valued member of the Chemistry Department for 37 years.
Born in Dover, New Hampshire, in 1953, Larrabee developed a love of chemistry as an undergraduate at Trinity College in Connecticut—a passion he continued at Princeton University, where he earned a PhD. He joined the Middlebury faculty in 1986 as an assistant professor of chemistry, already an established researcher after eight years as a scientist at Exxon Research and Engineering.
Larrabee began securing major grants in his first year at the College and continued to do so until his retirement in 2024. Over his career, he received 17 individual research awards, including regular funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, and played a key role in helping the College secure millions of dollars in support of research and instrumentation.
Larrabee’s research focused on how cobalt ions in enzymes contribute to enzyme function, using a magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) instrument. Its unique capabilities attracted researchers from around the world to collaborate with him.
“Jim’s descriptions of his research were technical yet understandable and relatable to faculty and students alike,” said Rick Bunt, associate dean of the sciences and Joseph Burr Professor of Chemistry. “He always put people first—students, faculty, and staff. As a colleague, he was thoughtful and deliberate. He was a good listener and devoted to finding the best course of action in any situation. He wanted what was best for the College, the town, and the state of Vermont.”
Larrabee, who served as the William R. Kenan Jr. Chair and Professor of Chemistry from 2005 to 2014, was equally passionate about cultivating future scientists through teaching, research, and mentoring. Lauren Pincus ’14, assistant professor of chemistry at George Washington University, credits a lab course cotaught by Larrabee and his wife, Sunhee Choi, retired John D. McCullough Professor of Chemistry, with shaping her career path.
“Super Lab was my favorite class at Middlebury, but it was also the class that inspired me to become a chemistry professor,” said Pincus. “Jim was the perfect professor, providing kind and thoughtful instruction and feedback while also inspiring his students by modeling true excellence. He taught us that every word in a manuscript, every detail of a figure, must be meticulously crafted to support your research conclusions. At a time when science communication has never been more important, I think of this lesson daily.”
Larrabee stayed in touch with many of his students, including Pincus, and served as a resource as she navigated graduate school, postdoctoral research, and the launch of her own lab group. “Every time I spoke with Jim, I was inspired by his brilliance, work ethic, humility, and kindness,” she said. “His legacy lives on in the countless students, including myself, that he inspired to go out and do good in the world.”
Larrabee involved students in his research whenever possible, with undergraduates often serving as coauthors on the 40 peer-reviewed journal articles he published. Daniel Shaw ’12, MD, assistant director of Emergency Department Operations at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an instructor in emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School, worked in Larrabee’s lab during his senior year and over multiple summers.
“Jim Larrabee was more than a chemistry professor,” said Shaw, who has fond memories of attending “lab dinners” at Larrabee’s house and taking group hikes up Snake Mountain after a long day in the lab. “He was a dedicated mentor who helped shape how I see the world. I’m grateful to Jim for teaching me not just bioinorganic chemistry, but more importantly, that a life in science is best lived with curiosity, focus, and heart.”
Faculty remember Larrabee, who served as associate dean of the faculty from 1998 to 2003, as a supportive colleague with a passion for science that he brought to work every day.
“Jim was quick to offer encouragement and affirmation, especially when it came to research,” said Molly Costanza-Robinson, professor of chemistry and environmental studies. “He was a fierce defender of new faculty, ensuring they received the support they needed to succeed toward tenure. His breadth and depth of knowledge were astounding, and I learned so much teaching alongside him.”
Larrabee is survived by his wife, Sunhee Choi; his daughter, Yuna Larrabee, and her spouse, Travis Smith; his son, Yuri Larrabee, and his spouse, Blakely Larrabee; and his five grandchildren: Jackson, Fletcher, Patrick, Delaney, and Sophie.
A memorial service will be held at McCardell Bicentennial Hall, Middlebury College, at 11 a.m. on August 29.