James Alden Thorson died May 23rd at Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights, Illinois.

During his distinguished academic career he was Jacob Isaacson Distinguished Professor, Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, Fellow of the University of Nebraska Graduate College, and recipient of University awards for outstanding research and graduate student mentoring. In addition to his texts on social gerontology, geriatric respiratory care, and spirituality, he is known for his Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale which has been translated into 18 different languages. He always gave young researchers permission to use the scale, typically writing to them: "Don't want money. Got money. Want fame."

One of his most satisfying professional accomplishments was serving as advisor and hooding over 40 doctoral candidates. He retired in 2010, and moved to Buffalo Grove, Illinois in 2011. Following retirement he continued in an advisory role reviewing proposals for the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong.