James Lancaster

James Ralph Lancaster was born December 9, 1931 in Kearney, Nebraska to Ralph and Bernice Lancaster and died in Barrington, Illinois on October 19, 2014. As a young man, Jim left Kearney to pursue a degree in Industrial Engineering at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Upon graduation from Northwestern in 1955, he went to work for IBM and in 1964 received an MBA from University of Chicago. After fifteen years in marketing management at IBM, Jim was ready for a new challenge and turned to a second career in banking, where he put his marketing expertise to work for a group of community banks that later became part of the National Bank of Detroit and ultimately First Chicago. He retired in December, 1996 as Executive Vice President of First Chicago and the First National Bank of Chicago. Jim married his childhood sweetheart, Patricia Carolyn Christensen, on June 14, 1953, and they made their home in Mount Prospect, Illinois, where they raised five children. Jim and Patti were active in the Community Presbyterian Church in Mount Prospect and later the Presbyterian Church of Barrington. Together they enjoyed golf, bridge, musical events and travel, and they always made family their priority. A formative experience in Jim's youth as the 1949 Nebraska Boy's State Governor contributed to his lifelong commitment to good governance. He demonstrated this commitment throughout his business career as well as in his active service to the community. During his banking career, Jim served on the boards of the Northwest Housing Partnership, The Illinois Math and Science Foundation, the Northern Cook County Private Industry Council, and the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago. His strong belief in education led to his service on the boards of the Harper College Foundation and the Northwestern University Library. After moving to Barrington, Illinois in 1988, Jim became a founding director of the Barrington Area Community Foundation and also served on the governing councils of Good Shepherd Hospital and the Hospice Foundation of Northeastern Illinois (now JourneyCare). Jim was instrumental in the development and building of the Pepper Family Hospice Home in Barrington, the first of its kind in the area. Jim's integrity and business experience, combined with his servant's heart, have left a lasting legacy for many organizations and countless citizens of his community. Jim is survived by his five children, Anne Springer (Scott); Craig Lancaster (Charlene Handler); Nancy Liskevych (Terry); Mark Lancaster (Nancy Woodruff); and Amy Lancaster; and his brother Charles W. "Bill" Lancaster (Melba). He was also loving grandfather, role model and mentor to twelve grandchildren: Eric Wendler (Christine); Sarah Sandona (Benedict); David Wendler; Steven Wendler; Mark Liskevych; Krista Mason (Dexter); Sage Lancaster; Reed Lancaster; Owen Lancaster; Evan Bills; Christian Bills; and Madison Ellis. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia Carolyn Christensen Lancaster. A celebration of Jim's life will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Barrington, 6 Brinker Road, Barrington IL 60010 on Saturday, November 29th at 3:00 pm. The family will be receiving visitors beginning at 2:30 pm, and Dr. Joe Dorociak, Dr. John Schmidt and Reverend Kate Kelly will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions will be welcomed by Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 West Highway 22, Barrington, IL 60010 (Attn: Sue Abderholden "Fund for Special Needs of Good Shepherd," tel. 847-842-4026) and Arizona Musicfest, P.O. Box 5254, Carefree, AZ 85377 (tel. 480-488-0806).

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