CHADWICK TODD RAYMOND, 68, OF NORTHBROOK
Chadwick Todd Raymond was born on Jan. 4, 1953, in Ames, Iowa, to Virgil and Solveig Raymond. He graduated from Roland-Story High School in 1971.
He earned a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University and a Master of Arts in Library Science from the University of Michigan.
Chad was director of the Lincoln Township Library from 1977 to 1981, the Addison Public Library from 1981 to 1985 and the executive director of the Northbrook Public Library from 1985 to 2015.
Chad was passionate about serving his community, promoting library services, and doing legislative work to improve and support public libraries.
During his Northbrook Public Library tenure, Chad was dedicated to supporting and encouraging the staff as well as the Friends of the Library.
In addition, he helped the library board champion major renovations and expansions throughout his career. Chad was particularly proud that, in 2012, the library was chosen as one of the top 100 workplaces by the Chicago Tribune.
On a more personal note, library highlights included the Fourth of July parades, staff in-services and the Annual Library Art Show.
He was always first on the scene during inclement weather, and in heavy rain was often seen watching the water rise in the creek as if he could will it not to flood.
Chad was a Rotarian for 39 years and had the privilege to serve on the Membership Committee and as President of the Rotary Club of Northbrook.
He was a lifetime member of the Northbrook Civic Foundation and had good memories of running the Brat Booth at Northbrook Days.
Over the years, he served in various churches as pastor liaison, usher, youth mission trip leader and Habitat for Humanity volunteer in Mexico.
He humbly served as an assistant chaplain at Skyword Ministries at O'Hare International Airport. He adopted the Rotary's motto, Service Above Self, as his own.
After retiring, Chad enjoyed traveling and spending time with his wife, Nancy, whom he met in Sunday school when he was a boy. She was truly the love of his life, and he was the love of hers.
He enjoyed hobbies that included reading, exercise, motorcycles and trips to the family farm in Iowa.
He was a registered parliamentarian and liked to read the dictionary in pursuit of interesting words.
He caught a serious case of Go Blue Fever during his days at the University of Michigan that lasted for the rest of his life.
He was a great listener and could engage easily with a stranger or a friend. In parting he was known to say, "Have a good life!"
In the last years of his life, he battled serious medical issues. He exhibited great courage. He faced these challenges - never complaining but always smiling.
Despite illness and pain, Chad never lost his gentle and kind spirit. His uplifting optimism, silver lining outlook and humility will be treasured and missed.
Chad passed away on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at his home in Northbrook at 68 years of age. A gathering was held with immediate family at his home. He was cremated, and his ashes will be spread at his beloved farm in Iowa. Due to COVID restrictions, no additional services are planned.
Chad is survived by his wife, Nancy; two sons, Jason (Melissa) of Libertyville and Lucas (Kristen) of Grayslake; four grandchildren, Hayley, Jake, Lucas and Maddux; two step-grandchildren, Lily and Collin; a brother, Scott (Carolyn) of Ames, Iowa; two brothers-in-law, Bruce (Jo) Mortvedt of Story City, Iowa; Tim (Deborah) of Wilton, New Hampshire, a sister-in-law, Jane Morgan of Mooresville, North Carolina; five nieces, Amy, Teri, Anna, Emily and Jessie; two nephews, Karl and Ryan and 12 great-nephews.
Chad was preceded in death by his parents and two nephews, John Raymond and Samuel Mortvedt and great-nephew Elias Schaefer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Smile Train (mysmiletrain.org), Skyword Ministries (moodychurch.org/skyword-minitries/) or Rotary ShelterBox (shelterbox.org/donate)