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1933 - 2023

BORN

1933

DIED

2023

About

St Patrick High School Lewis University

Lowell Stahl Obituary

STAHL, LOWELL

Lowell I. Stahl

Lowell I. Stahl, a resident of Northbrook, IL and Juno Beach/Jupiter, FL passed away on January 20, 2023 at the age of 89.

Stahl was born on December 5, 1933, during the height of the Great Depression, and was raised by his mother, Elinor S. Ryfeldt, on the near north side of Chicago. After graduating from Saint Patrick High School as President of his class, he was a proud servant in the Korean War.

Stahl acquired J. J, Schmidt, an insurance and real estate brokerage company, in the late 1950's, and in 1974 opened the first real estate franchise office in the Chicago area, and from that Stahl became the pioneer of real estate franchising in the Midwest, starting Century 21 of Northern Illinois. At the time of its sale, Centrury 21 Northern Illinois had over 700 franchise offices operating in 7 states. He then moved on to banking where he transformed a traditional "mutual" savings and loan institution to a local banking leader. Most recently, Stahl served as Owner and Chairman of PFS Financial, LLC.

His legacy lives on through the establishment of the Lowell I. Stahl Cultural Centre and Stahl Family Theater of Saint Patrick High School, as well as the Lowell Stahl Center for Entrepreneurship & Real Estate of Lewis University.

Lowell Stahl's life was a true, living example of the words he lived by - "Whatever You Do, Do What You Love". Stahl enjoyed the sport of fishing and golf immensely, but, his greatest hobby was hard work, sacrifice and dedication. Stahl is the cherished father of Jeffrey (Patricia) Stahl and Suzanne (Tim) Braley and devoted grandfather of James (Jay), Mackenzie, Karlee, Blaine, Madison, Christopher, Gina and Elizabeth. He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy A. Stahl, in 2006, after a marriage that lasted 51 years.

There will be a celebration of Lowell's life to occur at a date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Stahl Family Charitable Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, to help fund medical research, 600 Andrew Lane, Lake Zurich, Illinois 60047.

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Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Jan. 29, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Lowell Stahl

Sponsored by Chicago Sun-Times.

14 Entries

Steven Tureff

January 23, 2025

A kind and humble man, generous, quick to laugh, loyal and loving and gracious in every way. A man of great intellect who overcame many hardships to build a remarkable life of outstanding achievement and never failed to enhance the quality of the lives of others. When I remember Lowell Stahl I think of faith, family, respect, humor, courage and humility. I was privileged to know such a wonderful man.

Steven Tureff

January 23, 2024

I was privileged to have been Lowell Stahl´s internal medicine doctor for many years in Chicago. We established a close doctor/patient relationship and ultimately a close friendship. When I retired and moved to Florida, Lowell and I continued to be good friends. He was a remarkably generous man. He helped my future son-in-law get accepted into Lewis University and helped my son land his first job in Public Relations. Although he always downplayed it, I will never forget the kindness he showed my family. I remember Lowell Stahl as a brilliant, honest, humble, self deprecating man who loved a good joke and who overcame an extremely difficult childhood to become successful due to his intelligence, resourcefulness, respect for others, and common sense. Above all, I will always remember Lowell Stahl as a righteous man of deep religious conviction who was so grateful for the life changing generosity and guidance showed him by the local Clergy in his youth. He never forgot this debt of gratitude and seemed determined to help others that they too could be lifted by kindness. He was devoted to his family. As a father and grandfather his love and pride knew no bounds. As my parents would have said, Lowell Stahl was "a serious man", a man to be respected and admired. I was very lucky to have known such an exemplary man in my lifetime.

Steven Tureff

February 1, 2023

Lowell Stahl was a patient in my internal medicine practice until I retired in March, 2020. I was privileged to take care of his wife Nancy as well.
Lowell Stahl was an exemplary man. He was generous, brilliant, kind and humble. He carried the love of his family deeply in his bones. He was eternally grateful for the life changing support the Church provided him during his youth. Lessons that he learned at that time shaped him into the man he was; among the finest people I have ever had the good fortune of knowing.
Lowell loved to laugh. We rarely had an interaction without at least one joke being shared. Behind his quiet, unassuming demeanor was an expansive, curious, profound intellect. He was always respectful and polite to my office staff who enjoyed seeing his name on my schedule. He will be greatly missed
By Dr. Raj Patel and everyone in the internal medicine office in Des Plaines.
As he sat down in the examining room, Lowell Stahl never failed to ask me how my family was doing. It wasn´t an empty social exercise, he really wanted to know and I could feel that concern. He helped my son find his first job, a kindness I will never forget.
Lowell Stahl and I became friends. We often went to lunch or dinner here in Palm Beach Gardens. We would talk about our earlier lives and our families. We would each make fun of our own mistakes (unfortunately my list was much longer than Lowell´s) and we would solve all the world´s problems right there over a sandwich and an ice tea.
Occasionally in life one is lucky to meet and share time with a truly gifted, remarkable and respected man. I consider myself very fortunate to have known a man of his caliber because, in my experience, there aren´t many folks of Lowell Stahl´s stature out there in the world. I will remember him always with great fondness.
My condolences and very best wishes to the family of Lowell Stahl. May he rest in peace.
Steven Tureff

Frank Cluck

January 29, 2023

Dear Sue, Jeff and families,
Dear Lowell was my boss, my business inspiration, and remains a model of what being successful in life really means, in the responsibilities and faithfulness that come with it. He kept me from leaving the Northern Illinois Regional office once, but the second time he knew he couldn't stop me.

Instead, he supported and encouraged our earliest efforts in establishing Century 21 in France, coming to check in on us twice and staying in touch over the years, with advice, insights and attention. His loyalty -- to St. Patrick's, to his business and personal families -- makes him Royalty in my Pantheon of guides, mentors and faithful friends for whom I've held life long affection. I am so grateful to have known and been influenced by Lowell.

Love and Many Blessing to you All,
Frank

Jack yacullo

January 29, 2023

Jeff
So sorry for your loss - he was a great achiever and you certainly followed in his footsteps-I am sure that he was very proud of you and your wonderful family

Susan Gillespie

January 29, 2023

Please accept my condolences. Your dad was generous in so many ways. His guidance as a founding member of the Saint Patrick Board of Trustees
will be etched forever within the school´s history. Both your mom and dad were truly a special couple.

Kandy Butterly

January 29, 2023

That smile! It was always the first thing you saw when Mr. Stahl entered the room. My grandfather, father and all the Kane kids loved seeing him. He was always willing to listen to you and to share his wisdom. Together with Mrs. Stahl, you are both loved forever. Kandy Kane Butterly, mom MJ Murphy, and the entire Kane Klan

Kandy Kane Butterly

January 29, 2023

Mr. Stahl was a wonderful man, always smiling and willing to help in any way he could. My grandfather and father were Irene´s and colleagues in real estate and banking with him. My parents enjoyed being with them socially. May he test in peace with his beautiful wife.
Kandy Butterly and the entire Kane Family

Marty Rueter

January 28, 2023

Sad, sad news. Lowell was an icon of the original Century 21 founders and leaders. A true gentleman who reached out to newbies like me, sharing his experience and keen insight to business and franchising. I remember vividly his eulogy to his friend, Dick Loughlin - a tearful reminder that life is too short. Blessings to all his family. You´ve inherited an enviable legacy.

Marty and Toni

Larry Bryson

January 27, 2023

A man who served others with his success. I learned many things from Lowell as part of Century 21. A wonderful person.

Stacy Bartlett-Renshaw

January 27, 2023

Such a great man,husband,father. I have such great memories of the fun adventures we shared .All our love , Stacy Bartlett-Renshaw and Family

Robert Sperte

January 26, 2023

Dear Friend and Colleague, sorely missed.
Bob and Nancy Sperte

Cathy McPhee

January 25, 2023

Lowell was a great man and decades long friend. He had a keen sense for business and a subtle sense of humor that was ever present. He had a big heart and an even bigger eagerness to give back to family, friends and those in need. He left a great legacy and will be missed deeply. Love to his family and dear friends.

kenneth raysby

January 25, 2023

Sue and Jeff
May God bless you and your family´s in this time of sorrow. He was a wonderful man and will be deeply missed.

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