James “Jim” Arden, a revered science teacher at Greenwich Country Day School for 31 years, died on Feb. 19 at the age of 79.
Born in Norwalk on Sept. 5, 1936 to Walter and Georgia Mae Stokes Arden, Jim was a Renaissance man of diverse talents and interests. Educator, mentor, herpetologist, and champion bodybuilder, Jim led educational safari trips to Africa for 25 years, helping students and families learn about the continent’s people, animals and cultures.
An awareness of and a concern for the planet were at the heart of his work. Upon retirement he founded the Jim Arden Foundation, with help of GCDS families, to enhance the quality of life and provide education to homeless children in Tanzania.
A memorial celebration of Jim Arden’s life will be held Saturday, May 28, at 2 p.m., Round Hill Community Church, 395 Round Hill Road, Greenwich. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jim Arden Foundation, P.O. Box 4, Cos Cob, CT 06807.
