Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. I first met Jim and Judy Hubbard about four years ago at the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church (NCPC). It was my first time there. As soon as the service ended, a gentleman approached me to introduce himself and his wife. He had one of those firm Midwest handshakes that shows respect and confidence. He and Judy were so kind, welcoming and clearly leaders in this congregation. I was impressed at our first meeting and continue to be impressed with each conversation. 

Jim and Judy have been married for 62 years. I want you to read that one more time to let that soak in. They have been married for 62 years! 

They were married in 1957 when Dwight Eisenhower was President of the United States. Nikita Khrushchev was the leader of the Soviet Union and the Cold War was in full force. Wham-O released the first Frisbee toy. The Bridge over the River Kwai was in theaters. The Soviets launched Sputnik. The average gallon of gas in the US was 24 cents and the Little Rock Nine entered Central High School. US News had a special story that year saying it was the year that changed America. Jim wholeheartedly agrees. 

Jim and Judy were both born in the early 1930s and both in Iowa. Judy was a city girl and Jim grew up on a farm. They both graduated from Dubuque High School in Dubuque, Iowa. They did not know each other until their paths crossed a few years later in Washington, DC. 

After graduating from high school, Judy took a job with the FBI in Washington, DC. The FBI was hiring high school graduates from across the county. This was a busy time in the FBI as the Civil Rights Movement and all the fears of communism swept the county.

Judy tells the story of her encounter with J. Edgar Hoover. On a day when she was in charge of checking everyone coming into the office for proper credentials, a man came in claiming he was J. Edgar Hoover but did not have the proper identification to enter. Judy did not let him in until her supervisor could confirm that it was J. Edgar Hoover. A young woman from Iowa stood up to the mighty director of the FBI. I wonder if that exchange was ever seen on surveillance. 

Judy really enjoyed her time with the FBI in Washington, DC and Chicago. She says it was better than a college education. 

Jim worked as an auto mechanic after he graduated from high school. In 1955, he knew he would be getting drafted soon so he joined the Navy. His assignment was on a ship in Portsmouth, Virginia. He wanted to be a diesel mechanic, but the Navy wanted a boiler maker. It was hot and dirty work, so Jim volunteered to go to school to be an instrument man for the Navy. He did this not having any knowledge of what an instrument man does. It turned out that he was going to school to learn how to work on equipment like typewriters, pressure gauges, watches and clocks. This desire to get out of making boilers and blindly volunteering for a new assignment paved the path for the rest of his career. 

Jim was in the military right as the Korean War was officially ending and the US had not sent troops yet into Vietnam. I was thinking that this was a good time to be in the Navy considering what had just ended and what was to come. Jim quickly agreed and said, “But there was the Hungarian Revolution.” Having lived and studied in that part of the world I nodded and said, “Yes, in 1956.” The people of Budapest dared to revolt against the Soviet Union’s chokehold on their country. Their efforts failed, but also changed history.  

Because of the intense Cold War rivalry, the US military quickly prepared men and machines for what might come. Jim said that he was working on a repair ship in Norfolk, Virginia when the word came. All shore leaves were cancelled, and the ship dusted off the 5-inch gun. Jim was quickly taught how to load the 5-inch artillery gun. 

While both Jim and Judy were on the East Coast a mutual friend back in Dubuque told each one about the other. Jim got in contact with Judy and they met for some sightseeing in DC. It was snowing as they walked The National Mall and saw the different monuments. Jim was in uniform and a cab driver stopped and offered them a free ride. They chose to walk. 

In 1957 Jim left the Navy. Judy accepted his proposal and they married and moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where Jim started his career with IBM. His first job was to repair typewriters. 

Then in 1964 they moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where Jim worked in the Product Lab for IBM. In the 1960s their family expanded to five. Jim enrolled at the University of Kentucky to earn a degree in electrical engineering. He did this while working the third shift in the test lab. When he graduated, he moved to IBM’s engineering department to work on product design. He also took advantage of a master’s degree that IBM offered engineers. 

Jim made it very clear that Judy stayed home during this time raising their three children. He was adamant when expressing how hard she worked and how grateful he is to her. Such love and respect were in his eyes and voice as he spoke about all Judy has done for him and the partnership they formed. 

In the early 1970s IBM was getting into the copier business. Jim moved into the copier development department where printers and copiers were designed. As a design engineer Jim has 13 US patents and numerous publications in the copier and printer field. He says that he spent a lot of time trying to get around Xerox patents or getting patents to protect their designs. Integrated circuits were developed, and Jim and his team were able to change the way copy machines were built. 

When IBM moved their entire copier and printer development and manufacturing to Boulder, Colorado, in 1974, the Hubbards packed up and moved with the company. They settled in the Sugarloaf area. They wanted to be out of the city and in a neighborhood where they could know their neighbors. They have never moved again.

When they came to this mountain area, they quickly became involved in the community. They joined the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church at the same time as another family. The church saw a 30% increase in membership with the new families. Both Jim and Judy have been leaders in the church for 45 years. Judy volunteered as the church treasurer for 25 years. That is an extremely generous and selfless contribution to a place that depends so much on each member to contribute to its success. They love the small church where you are missed if you are not there. They have always felt like they belonged at NCPC from the time their children were becoming teenagers to today. 

Jim and Judy also became very involved in the Sugarloaf Fire Protection District (SLFPD). Jim has served as Fire Chief a couple of times. He has been a training officer, fleet manager and board president. In 45 years, he has responded to over 1,500 calls. Jim no longer responds to calls but does serve as training coordinator for new applicants. He says that he loves working with the younger folks and he stays for the connections with people. They are both still committed and active in supporting the Sugarloaf fire department with the hours they put in for the awesome Memorial Day Garage Sale that is held each year to benefit the fire department. 

As their kids got older, Judy worked as a travel agent in Boulder for several years. Getting the opportunity to travel was a great perk of the job. 

After 30 years, Jim retired from IBM, in 1987. He loved how family oriented the company was and that about every five or six years he was given a new challenging opportunity. Not truly ready to retire, he started a 15-year career with the University of Colorado doing extension work with K-12 schools to help develop math and science classes. 

This fall the Hubbard’s will be celebrating 63 years of marriage. They say it has been a 75/75 effort not simply a 50/50 effort. Divorce was never an option. They agree that careers and jobs change but in the end, it is family that stays. They raised three children and now have the joy of six grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Jim and Judy say that their marriage was a good thing and hope it continues for quite a few more years. 

This Valentine’s Day, we honor Jim and Judy Hubbard for their extraordinary 62 year marriage. When you see them together it does not take long to notice the respect, care and love they have for each other. A beautiful couple that is an inspiration of service, generosity, loyalty and faithfulness. 

(Originally published in the February 13, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)