Thomas Butler Flatland

Tom was born November 10th, 1941 in Three Rivers, Michigan to Olaf Jenson Flatland and Helen Eloise Butler Flatland of Constantine, MI. He was active in sports growing up and fondly remembered his friends from Constantine High School where he graduated in 1959. Some of his earliest memories were from spending time at his beloved home away from home, Corey Lake in Michigan, a place he returned to for most of his life, chasing after the elusive “Scarface”, a fabled largemouth bass, and spending cherished time with family and friends. He attended Camp Wakeshma summer camp at Corey Lake and would in later years dedicate his time and expertise to its board of directors. After high school, Tom attended the University of Michigan for an undergraduate degree in business and would continue to complete an MBA, graduating in 1964, creating another lifelong love: Michigan Football (Go Blue!). Soon after, he was fortunate enough to meet the love of his life Roberta (Bobbie) Spangle and the two were joined in marriage on August 7, 1965, and started a family with daughters Heather and Holly and son Tim. The Flatlands made their home on Cherry Street in Winnetka, and Tom became active at Winnetka Presbyterian Church.

Upon graduation, Tom spent his entire career employed in government finance and investment banking, forming and running his own municipal bond consultancy firm and serving as a trusted advisor to many cities and towns throughout Illinois and beyond. Tom guided numerous long term municipal clients through the process of funding various projects such as libraries, water treatment facilities, park districts and other public works, with over 3000 bond issuance transactions over the course of his career. Later in his career, he partnered with RW Baird to help augment their public finance department. During this time, he also lent his expertise to serve on the Winnetka Police Pension Board for a number of years.

At Corey Lake, Tom could often be found with his many grandchildren, teaching them how to fish, telling them a story, visiting with neighbors, playing a round of golf, or enjoying coffee and a sweet roll out on the deck. Most of all he loved being with his family as his favorite pastime. Tom was everyone’s friend, but one thing was for certain- if you needed something he was there for you. He was also a member of the First Congregational Church- The United Church of Christ in Constantine, Michigan.

Tom was preceded in death by his sister Nancy Monroe, his mother Helen Butler Flatland, and his father Olaf Jenson Flatland. Tom is survived by his wife Roberta (Bobbie), children Heather Farnham (Mark) of Northbrook, Illinois, Holly Briggeman (Jeff) of Evanston, Illinois, Tim Flatland (Ashley) of Evanston, Illinois, brother Jerry Flatland (Sandy) of West Chester, Pennsylvania, sister Anne Flatland Voss of Kansas City, MO, and beloved grandchildren Jensen, Maia, Owen, Luke, Hannah, Sophie, Benjamin, Tatum, Vivian, Jack, and Eloise, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Winnetka Presbyterian Church 1255 Willow Road, Winnetka, IL 60093.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Camp Wakeshma in Three Rivers, Michigan or the American Cancer Society.