James Theivagt

On May 9, 1928 Lafe and Rita Theivagt celebrated the birth of their eldest child and son Jim in Bloomington, IL. When Jim spoke of growing up in neighboring Normal, IL it was about his lifelong friendship with his sister Peggy and about how his extended family supported one another during the Depression. Jim gained fame playing baseball for local teams and Normal Community HS. (Class of 1946) Jim honorably served the US Army from 1946-1948; stationed in Whittier, Alaska and Ft Lawton, WA. He was a recipient of the WW2 Victory medal. Jim returned home to attend Illinois Wesleyan, Bloomington, IL and earn a B.S. degree in chemistry at the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign. Jim was proud of his alma maters and established the James G Theivagt Class of 1952 Scholarship Fund for outstanding students majoring in chemistry and is a member and financial contributor of the William Albert Noyes and Roger Adams Club at Uof I. Abbott Laboratories of North Chicago, IL recruited Jim in 1952 as an analytical chemist. For 34 years this was his life's work. Jim is credited with many patents and scientific papers, was certified as a Quality Engineer by the American Society for Quality Control and a member of the American Chemical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Jim lived in Lake County, IL the rest of his life. He married Abbott coworker Alice Hoffmann of Kenosha, WI and they raised their children in the Mundelein and Waukegan areas. Jim died at his Beach Park home surrounded by family on December 15, 2009. Jim's hobbies were reading and collecting. He combined his passion for airplanes and photography by earning his pilot license and taking aerial photos. He liked all types of music and movies. Jim was a keen observer of nature and loved history, historic places and maps. Pack his maps and photo gear and he was ready for a field trip. Jim was always interested in the newest gadget. Jim is survived by his beloved sister, Peggy Grove of Normal, IL; and children: Sandy (Don) Good of Zion, IL; James Theivagt, Jr. of Tacoma, WA, Debbie (Tim) Mormino of Mt. Carroll, IL; John (Kina) Theivagt of Las Vegas, NV and Tim Theivagt of Beach Park,IL. Jim leaves a legacy of generosity to his grandchildren, Natalie, Matthew and Jonathan Good; Joseph Theivagt; Lydia Kice; Danyell and Vincenzo Mormino; great grandson Erik Kice and his niece Amelia (Christopher) Ellington. Jim was preceded by his parents Lafe and Rita Theivagt (nee Brown), a sister Betty Lou Theivagt and brother-in-law Arthur Grove.