Jim Mindrup's father bought him a kaleidoscope that the youngster took apart as soon as he got the chance.
For that, he got a spanking. After all, the scope cost $1 and it was during the Great Depression.
Mr. Mindrup kept his love for kaleidoscopes, though, and in retirement crafted thousands. Some he sold to galleries, but most were given as gifts to children undergoing chemotherapy at area hospitals.
"A kaleidoscope is something you can lose yourself in completely," said June K. Mindrup, his wife of 41 years. " His thinking was that it would appeal to the young and the old, the child and parents, during such a traumatic time in life."
On Sept. 22, James "Jim" Mindrup of Atlanta died at his home from respiratory failure. He was 90. A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. The Cremation Society of Georgia handled arrangements.
In 1969, Mr. Mindrup transferred from Dallas to Atlanta with a company that specialized in blueprint photography. He eventually earned a real estate license and founded Benchmark Commercial Brokers.
The Illinois native received an appointment for aviation cadet training, but World War II ended before he saw combat. He earned a bachelor's degree in business from Middle Tennessee State University.
His first wife, Evelyn Fisher Mindrup, died from ovarian cancer in 1967. Two years later, he met his current wife shortly after both had moved to Atlanta. They married nine months after meeting at an apartment complex.
At one point, the car buff had decided to give up kaleidoscope artistry. He had his son, the late James W. Mindrup of Bradenton, drive up from Florida to get his tools.
"Months later, he said, ‘I miss my shop,' " his wife said. "He bought a lathe and band saw, redid it, and started back to making kaleidoscopes. He was about 87."
Mr. Mindrup cut his own mirrors and object cells. Sometimes the Shriner and 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason used exotics such as Bethlehem olive wood, pink ivory and ancient kauri, the world's oldest wood.
Through the years, he had been a featured speaker and demonstrator at woodworking and kaleidoscope conventions. His biography appears in "Kaleidoscope Artistry," a book by Cozy Baker that discusses contemporary artists.
This scope artist enjoyed sharing tricks of the trade. He taught Richard Taylor, an Atlanta woodworker, keys to the precision craft.
"His skills were excellent, and he is well-respected in the kaleidoscope society," Mr. Taylor said. "His attention to detail made him stand out, and therefore he made a very good product. He sold several to art shops all around the country."
Mr. Mindrup had a saying on his hobby card: "If heaven doesn't have kaleidoscopes, I'm not going."
Additional survivors include two daughters, Sue Bockholt of Dallas, Texas, and Cheryl Brinson of Arlington, Texas; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
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