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Dr. James Naismith holding a basketball.
1936
Kansas University

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In June of 1937, Naismith accepted part-time status at the University of Kansas. He was unable to share his retirement with Maude as she died on March 4th. Still grieving for Maude, he and former colleague Duke D’Ambra embarked on a five thousand mile car trip across Canada and parts of the United States. It was during this trip that he made his last visit to Almonte.

In September 1939 Naismith and his new wife were settling into their new home. Naismiths’ health was beginning to fail, though he was still able to spend time on a favorite hobby, woodworking. In mid-November, he suffered from a stroke, from which he never recovered. Dr. James Naismith died on November 28, 1939.

Basketball is now played in over 140 countries and has more players and spectators than any other sport. At the end of his book, titled Basketball Its Origin and Development, printed after his death in 1941, Naismith concludes with the following request:

"Let us all be able to lose gracefully and to win courteously; to accept criticism as well as praise; and last of all, to appreciate the attitude of the other at all times."