Thomas Adams Pfeiler, 92, Lake Forest

Thomas Adams Pfeiler, of Lake Forest, Illinois, passed peacefully into Eternal Life on August 14, 2022, just a few months before his 93rd birthday. Tom was the beloved husband of Annamae Pfeiler, the cherished father of daughters Betsy and Mary, and dear “Dadda” to grandchildren Amy, Tom and Anne.

Tom was born on November 4, 1929, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, to Rudolph Valentine Pfeiler and Lula Horne Pfeiler, the baby brother of sisters Anne and Nancy. He received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1952. He served in the Army in Alaska during the Korean War and returned to earn his L.L.B. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1957. At Madison, Tom fell in love with Annamae Busse, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, who became his devoted wife, life-long love and best friend. Tom and Annamae were married in 1955. They built their family home in Lake Forest in 1968, where they raised their daughters and lived for 54 years.

The highlight of Tom’s legal career was serving for many years as General Counsel of the United States League of Savings Institutions - the trade association for the savings & loan industry. He was the author of many articles on industry issues, and his career took him to all 50 states to speak to various industry groups. He had a wide network of US League and other S&L friends who became personal friends.

Tom’s smile, his sense of humor and his optimistic approach to life were unforgettable. Throughout his life, he was a friend to everyone he met. He was a devout Episcopalian from childhood, growing up as an altar boy and acolyte at St. Matthias Church, Waukesha. Tom and Annamae were long-time parishioners of The Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest. He had a beautiful voice and a voluminous knowledge of his favorite music - including all the lyrics. To the end of his life, he loved singing the countless tunes he had stored away in his memory.

Tom kiddingly referred to himself as a “highly trained athlete.” Over the years, he particularly enjoyed family ski trips (especially to Boyne Highlands, in Michigan), tennis, running, scuba diving and golf. He also loved an impressive succession of dogs over the course of his lifetime - over 10 of them, including “grand-dogs.”

Tom adored Annamae and their daughters, Betsy and Mary, who he encouraged in every activity and pursuit. In his personal character and his intellect, Tom was their inspiration. He was a reader of bedtime stories, a giver of piggyback rides and a lacer of children’s ski boots before they had buckles. He spent many hours helping Betsy and Mary learn to write; teaching them good paragraph transitions and urging them “don’t get it right; get it written!” He was one of a kind.

Tom was preceded in death earlier this year by Annamae, after nearly 67 years of marriage. He is survived by daughters Betsy (Chris) Marriott and Mary (Cliff) Bryant; his grandchildren Amy Foley, Tom Foley and Anne Bryant; many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and their children; and some life-long friends.

A joint memorial service will be held for Tom and Annamae on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Grace Anglican Fellowship, Old St. Patrick’s Church, 991 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, Illinois. Memorial contributions in Tom’s memory may be made to Grace Anglican Fellowship online at www.graceanglicanfellowship.or... or mailed to Grace Anglican Fellowship at 1560 Rudd Court, Libertyville, IL 60048.