Thomas Robert Meyers

Tom was born in Ft Wayne, Indiana on April 11, 1946 to the late Robert and Dorothy Meyers. He was raised in a large loving family with his siblings, Bonnie (Mike) Albers, Rob (Gayle) Meyers, and the late Susie (Nick) Meyers Maniates. His cousin and dear friend, Charles (Susan) Golden lived down the street. He played basketball for South Side High School, which, along with cars, was a lifelong love for Tom.

Tom went to Valparaiso University and was a Phi Delta Theta. He majored in accounting and was hired by Arthur Andersen after college, moving to Chicago. He met and married Ann McCracken (June 24, 1972), and they had one daughter, Amy (Ian) Wickman. He and Ann lived in the same condominium building (James House) through her death in 2002 and his recent passing. Their early years were spent auto-racing on the weekends, where Tom drove his Formula Ford, his brother and Dad were his pit crew, and Ann and Amy were along for the fun. Every summer was also spent with the Green Lake group, close friends all originally from Arthur Andersen (Bean, Dorr, Eiler, and Johnson families).

Tom spent the majority of his life working as a commodities trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He eventually went back to accounting as well. He enjoyed playing basketball with his brother Rob and going annually to the Chicago Auto Show together. He loved running in Lincoln Park and watching his daughter’s rowing regattas while she was at Brown University.

Ultimately the family man, Tom took care of his parents, his wife, his mother-in-law and a neighbor during their illnesses and subsequent deaths. He approached life with a fearless attitude and tried to infuse fun into most events. His life long motto, “Eat Dessert First” not only expressed his love of chocolate and all things sweet, but his attitude to put the good parts first in life.

Tom used this attitude in approaching all things, even his diagnosis of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) in 2001. He went many years without sharing this news, until eventually he underwent a living donor liver transplant, donated by his son-in-law, Ian, on April 17, 2013. His loving partner, Barbara, was essential in his extended and often difficult recovery. She was always by his side.

Tom enjoyed going to the Bears, Bulls, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Barbara, going to the yearly Indianapolis 500 (a lifelong Meyers tradition), spending time with their extended families at Christmas, and riding the tractor in Iowa. He enjoyed taking photos (of which he was in very few) and traveling, including Mt Kilimanjaro with Amy and Ian on his 60th birthday. He was always game for a good road trip, no matter the distance. He and Barbara drove to the Arctic Circle, spotting local moose and musk ox herds, and stopping at the most northern US truck stop. GrandTom also enjoyed spending time and having fun with his grandchildren, Ella and Avery.

Tom is survived by his partner Barbara, his daughter and son-in-law Amy and Ian Wickman, his grandchildren Ella and Avery, and his siblings Rob Meyers and Bonnie Albers. Memorial services will be held at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 11:30 am with reception to immediately follow in Anderson Hall. Coincidentally, the church will also have a Tower Brass Concert at 5 pm that day only fitting with Tom’s love of music. It is free and all are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Brain Support Network, Chicago Jesuit Academy, or PSC Partners Seeking a Cure (See links below).