Thomas "Tom" Joseph Hietter

Thomas Joseph Hietter, otherwise known as, Tommy Jo, Tom, Dad, Pops, and Papa, passed away in his sleep on July 26, 2024 at the age of 82 in The Woodlands, Texas. As many who knew him would say, he worked hard and played hard.

He was a multifaceted person. His favorite sport was golf especially with his friends at the Cary Country Club over many decades. He especially enjoyed playing with his father-in-law who got him started in the game. In time he was very happy to be golfing with his son, son-in-law and grandsons. Fishing in Ontario, Canada was also a passion of his. He started out with his father. These trips, like golf, included friends and eventually became epic multigenerational experiences. He especially cherished traveling the world with his wife Nancy. This golfer and fisherman also enjoyed all the cultural experiences that Chicago had to offer especially the Lyric Opera.

Thomas was born in Lincoln, Nebraska to George and Petra Hietter on August 25, 1941. A few years later, the Hietters moved to Huron, South Dakota where they raised Tom and his sisters. He was a pretty normal kid growing up, worked numerous paper routes, was an Eagle Scout and played a coronet in the high school band. He was an Altar Boy for many years, but also had a little unpredictable streak. During Tom’s teen years, his dad was befuddled by the rapidly growing baldness of the rear tires on the family Chevy. Turned out, Tom and his pals were racing cars on the outskirts of town.

In 1959, Tom was off to St. Thomas College in St. Paul. He transferred to Marquette University in 1961. It was a fateful decision. He joined Triangle fraternity where he made lifelong friendships, became a Green Bay Packer fan, and earned a civil engineering degree. Most important, he met Nancy Herziger, a lovely co-ed at nearby Mount Mary College.

Tom and Nancy both graduated, and married soon after in 1964. He had a job in Milwaukee, but a good opportunity opened up in Chicago in the late 60s, and with one kid in tow, Paul, they moved to the northwest suburbs. Shortly thereafter, daughter Catherine arrived on the scene. As the 1970s wore on, Tom was encouraged by his boss and mentor to start his own engineering firm. By the late 70s, he and a partner founded Midwest Consulting Engineers, a company that designed roads, bridges and other infrastructure throughout the Chicago area. During this time Tom developed a knack for combining golf with business. This was known as “work golf.”

The 80s and 90s brought more travel, sending the kids to college, kids’ marriages, grandchildren, and golf, of course. By the mid-1990s, Tom and his partner sold Midwest. He retired gradually, working part-time as a consultant for many years.

The 2000s saw Tom and Nancy continuing their travels, including frequent visits to their grandchildren near Phoenix and Houston. They celebrated their 60th anniversary on June 20 this year.

Throughout his life, Tom stayed in shape mostly by playing racquetball, which he played well into his 70s. He enjoyed the camaraderie and competition. He could be counted on to step up when leadership was asked for, serving as HOA president in the Bull Valley, Illinois community where Tom and Nancy lived for twenty years. They both enjoyed the friendships they made in that community and with the McHenry County Enterprise Club, where Tom also served as president for a year. He took pleasure in taking care of the Bull Valley house and property and pride in overseeing the design and building of it.

Tom loved his family, was kind and thoughtful, and always there to help when needed. He had the ability to stay positive no matter the situation. He in turn served as a mentor to younger men who treasured their friendship with him.

Thomas is survived by his wife Nancy, sisters Mary Langhorst and Kay (Bob) Elliott, son and daughter-in-law Paul and Julie Hietter, daughter and son-in-law Catherine and Joe Cox, grandchildren Edward (Bella Perea) Hietter, William (Amy) Hietter, Christiana Hietter, Charles Cox and Elizabeth Cox.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents George and Petra Hietter, and sister Joanne Marie Hietter.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

A Visitation will be held at at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, 8715 Kuykendahl Road, The Woodlands, 77382 On August 16, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will begin at 1:00 PM followed immediately by a catered reception in the Paduan Center.