Timothy J Calmeyn

Timothy J. Calmeyn passed away January 17. He will be remembered as a loving son, brother, uncle, friend, and business leader.

Tim was born March 28, 1971, in Winfield Illinois and grew up in the Chicago suburb of Western Springs. He attended grade school at St. John of the Cross and high school at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, where he graduated in 1989.

With a gift for the sciences, Tim studied chemistry and engineering at Fairfield University in Connecticut and the University of Notre Dame. In 1993, he graduated from Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and also had a second major in Philosophy. Following this, he attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where he earned an MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering.

Tim took part in complex research such as developing software to optimize the production of commercial polymers and designing algorithms for manufacturing processes and product quality. His dissertation title was: A Design Algorithm for Continuous Mel-phase Polyester Manufacturing Processes: Optimal Design, Product Sensitivity, and Process Flexibility.

His professional career saw him running his family's business, Fabrication Specialties Incorporated (FSI), in Bridgeview Illinois. Tim was the backbone of the company, and he developed systems and innovations that brought long-term stability and success. His connection with the people at FSI was deep. Co-workers saw him as a true friend and describe him as brilliant, funny, positive, and a huge part of their lives. Tim looked out for people and was the one who would show up to the office in the middle of the night (or Christmas Day) when an alarm went off, a leak was detected, or a pipe burst. Tim was a creative leader and natural mentor who led by example and attributed company achievements to everyone by saying, "We did it."

Throughout his life, Tim had an interest in political theory and debate. An avowed libertarian, he served as a parliamentarian for the Ohio University graduate student senate and was very involved in the cross-examination debate association. Always up for a friendly argument about anything from politics to nutrition to religion, Tim would often display his mastery of persuasion and his charming sense of humor.

Tim's interests were not all intellectual. He excelled at martial arts and earned blackbelts in Tai Kwan Do and Jujitsu. He developed a passion for soccer and played on numerous teams with his workmates, family, and friends. He also enjoyed skiing and loved trips to Las Vegas where he reveled in the free-wheeling nature of the city and usually came out ahead on his bets.

Tim is remembered by family members as being both silly and stoic, quiet and witty, disciplined and indulgent. He was equally comfortable discussing philosophy as he was the merits and misses of a Dolf Lundgren movie. He was health-conscious but also a fan of spontaneous birthday cake. He could be deadly serious before blurting out the goofiest of jokes. Tim was quietly competitive, and before any family game, he would pretend to be uninterested, till it was revealed he had been studying the rules secretly (for hours). Tim expressed love by showing up and being there anytime and anywhere for his family and friends.

Tim had a very close relationship with his nephews, and they cherished their time with him. Tim was patient and brought calm to toddlers and teenagers alike. He always delivered thoughtful-and sometimes enormous-gifts for Christmas and birthdays, and never missed an opportunity to engage, play, and teach.

Tim is preceded in death by his mother Floretta. He is survived by his Father, Jack (Marge); Brothers John (Christie), Matthew (Jessica), and Christopher (Claire); Sister Stephenie (Kurt); nephews Hans, Til, Jaxon, Charlie, Augustus, Conor, Kayden, and Frederick; and nieces Makayla, Olivia, and Sophia.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, February 25th at St. John of the Cross, located at 5005 Wolf Rd, Western Springs, Illinois. Visitation will begin at 10 am in the church. The service will begin at 11am. and will be live-streamed at https://www.stjohnofthecross.org.