Henry J. Underwood

1944 - 2022

Henry J. Underwood, Jr., 78 years old. 1944-2022

Henry J. Underwood, Jr. ("Hank") died Wednesday, March 9, losing a long and tough battle with cancer.

Hank was a leading attorney in Chicago for decades. He served as Managing Partner of local firm Defrees & Fiske for over a decade, negotiated its 2009 merger with Howard & Howard, and headed its Chicago office until 2021. He was a consummate corporate attorney, who helped and guided numerous local companies, including Martin-Brower, SigmaTron International, General Packaging, and Bard Associates.

Jon D. Kreucher, CEO of H&H described Hank as follows: "He was a gentleman…thoughtful, insightful, strategic, generous, fearless, kind, and deeply committed to our Firm. He was a great teacher, keenly aware of the importance of mentoring lawyers of all ages on how to practice law and serve the client."

Gary Fairhead, CEO of SigmaTron, commented, "During the nearly four decades Hank served as our corporate counsel, we relied on his legal expertise, respected his business acumen, and valued his support and friendship. He was a critical part of our long-term growth and success." Tim Johnson, Founder of Bard Associates, said, "Hank was instrumental in the 40-year success of Bard Associates, providing sound and practical counsel for all of that period."

Hank was actively involved in several charitable endeavors. He was an early and enthusiastic supporter of Altus Academy, a faith-based, independent middle school, located in Chicago's Lawndale area, that serves Hispanic and African American children of low-income parents. It proudly seeks to develop character in its students and help its graduates excel in college preparatory high schools. Founder John Haybach remarked that Hank, "was a great friend and supporter of Altus from its inception. He served on our Board, where his guidance was always valuable, his legal assistance was critical, and his direct support was very generous. He will be sorely missed."

Hank was also active in his church, St. Paul and the Redeemer, in Hyde Park, where he served two terms as warden and chancellor, served two years in its Vestry, formed the Finance Committee, and managed the church's investments for many years.

Hank was born and raised in Clinton, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina and was a diehard Tar Heels fan all his life. At his death, he still had excellent seats to UNC basketball games. Law school brought him to Chicago, where he earned his J.D. at the University of Chicago in 1969. After earning an LL.M. at the London School of Economics, he returned to Chicago to work at Defrees & Fiske, where he stayed for life. He was a member of the Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations and served on the latter's Commercial Law Committee and Securities Law Committee.

He married Janet Bard Johnson in 1974, and they made a home first on the north side of Chicago and later in Hyde Park, where they lived in the same house for 41 years. He is survived by Janet and their two children, Patrick Underwood and Lucy Teddy (spouse Rose Teddy). Hank's younger brother, Richard Underwood, died in 2012.

A dog lover, avid bogey golfer, and lifelong wine enthusiast, Hank adored weekends at the family's lakeside retreat in New Buffalo, Michigan, where he played golf with Patrick, took long walks with Janet and their two mini-longhaired dachshunds, and did a bit of gardening.

A funeral is planned for Saturday, March 26th, at St. Paul and the Redeemer in Hyde Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Altus Academy or St. Paul and the Redeemer would be appreciated.

For further information, contact Diane Moseley, of the Cremation Society, at 773-752-6400.