Obituary: Doug Witmer, 42, of La Grange

Douglas David Witmer, 42, of La Grange died suddenly while competing in a triathlon on June 16, 2012.

Doug was born on July 30, 1969, in Johnson City, Tenn., the son of Judith Weber Aaron and Richard Everett Witmer. Doug, along with his two brothers and one sister, grew up in Oakton, Va., until Doug went to college to earn a bachelor of arts in rhetoric and communications from University of Virginia in 1991, where he was president of his fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi.

A position at R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company motivated Doug to move to Chicago in 1995, where he met his beloved wife, Kathryn Scott of Flossmoor, Ill. Kathy and Doug were married in 1998, and began a family in Chicago with the birth of their daughter, Leah Grace, in 2001. The Witmers moved to La Grange, in 2003, where they immediately became active and valued members of the community.

An intellectually curious and motivated man, Doug earned his MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, in 2005, the same year their son Henry Scott Witmer was born.

In 2007, Doug began working for Clif Bar, a company that embodied Doug’s love of sports, cycling, environmental activism and outdoors. He was chosen through an application process to participate in a company initiative, "In Good Company," which places employees in hands-on, week-long volunteer projects across the country.

An avid cyclist, Doug enjoyed both mountain and road biking, frequently going on 40 mile rides with friends. He was eager to pass on his love of cycling to the kids, taking them on long rides that ended at the pool. Doug was involved in his children’s sporting and scouting activities, including Little League (board member), Indian Princesses, Indian Guides, their soccer teams and more.

He and Kathy shared much: their crossword puzzles, love of music—particularly live—a good read, adoration of their children, the ability to forge fast and strong friendships, quick wits, easy smiles and compelling personalities that drew many into their wide circle of friends. The Witmer front porch was open to one and all, and hosted many a summer evening social hour.

After becoming a full-fledged Illinoisan, Doug switched his affiliation from the Orioles to the Cubs, the Redskins to the Chicago Bears, and was not to be interrupted while watching a Blackhawks game.

Doug enjoyed the rituals of family life, including working on the yard in his favorite T-shirt and UVA baseball cap, watching college sports, organizing barbecues and family outings, spending holidays in Virginia and driving his children to school every morning.

He will be missed by many, and is survived by wife Kathryn (Kathy) Scott, children Leah and Henry, parents Judith Webber Aaron [Roger W. Aaron] of Winchester, Va., and Richard Everett Witmer [Linda Witmer] of Leesburg, Fla., brothers Elliot [Sharon] of Haymarket, Va., and David [Jessica] of Oak Ridge, N.C., and sister Carolyn [Matthew] McDonald of Springfield, Va., as well as in-laws Dr. Calvin Scott [Nancy] of Frederick, Md., Barbara Scott [Dr. Joseph Bonanno] of Flossmoor, Ill., sisters-in-law Debbie Scott McMurray [Frank] of Kansas City, Mo., Chrissy Scott Deuter [Doug] of La Grange and 12 nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 1-9 p.m. Thursday, June 21, and from 9-11 a.m. Friday, June 22 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 West 55th St., Countryside, IL. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, June 22, also at Hallowell & James.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests contributions to The Witmer Children’s Education Fund, c/o First National Bank of LaGrange, 620 W. Burlington Ave., LaGrange, IL 60525.

                                                            - Obituary provided by Kasey Madden.