James H. Aikman

James H. Aikman, 82, passed away, Tuesday, January 1, 2018, in his Wyomissing residence.

He is survived by his wife, Connie (Ellis) Aikman.

Born in Mattoon, Illinois, he was the son of the late Eugene J. and Harriet M. (Ellison) Aikman. James was predeceased by his brother Eugene Aikman and sister-in-law, Betty Aikman.

James was a 1955 graduate of Mattoon Sr. High School, and 1960 graduate of University of Illinois, earning his B.S. in Civil Engineering. He was a Licensed Professional Civil Engineer in PA, IL, MA and other states.

He served as a U.S. Navy Officer from 1960 to 1964.

James was an internationally known depreciation expert. He was the co-founder and owner of Management Resources International, Inc., (MRI) whose clients included the U.N., World Bank and many foreign and domestic utilities. James worked at MRI as a depreciation consultant for 17 years, retiring in 2001. From 1971 to 1984 he was employed by Gilbert Associates as a management consultant. In his early professional life, he worked as a surveyor and built dams and roads in Illinois and was a depreciation expert for the state of Missouri.

He was a member of American Society of Civil Engineers, (ASCE), American Gas Association, (AGA), and Society of Depreciation Professionals, (SDP). He was a frequent presenter of many papers at utility industry conferences.

He enjoyed traveling, playing bridge with many clubs, owning and gambling on his horses and meeting up with his "Friday Coffee Guys". The activities he most enjoyed were spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren playing games and attending their events.

In addition to his wife, James is survived by four children: J. Alan, and his wife Tina Aikman, Dauphin Twp., Catherine L. Aikman, and her husband Kenneth Focht, Needham, MA, Sarah J. Aikman, West Lawn and Anthony G., and his wife Marisa Aikman, Wyomissing. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrate Friday, January 4, 2019 at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart R.C. Church, 740 Cherry St, West Reading, PA 19611. In addition, a Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, January 6 at 11 a.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA 19611 with visitation from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Contributions in James honor can be made to Sacred Heart R.C. Church at the above address, University of Illinois Foundation, 1305 W Green St, Urbana, IL 61801, or a charity of your choosing. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.