He is survived by his two sons, Michael Fox (Annie) of Northbrook, Illinois and Brian Fox of Hilton Head, South Carolina; his father, Jack Fox of Wilmette, Illinois; two sisters, Betsy Fox Helmer (Paul) of Kenilworth, Illinois and Virginia Fox Wilson (Duane) of Spokane, Washington; and a myriad of friends and golf buddies across the country. He was preceded in death by his mother, Joan Benner Fox.
Stu was born July 16, 1952 and grew up in Wilmette. He loved all sports, both watching and playing, from a young age. The grass at “home plate” in the yard was always worn out, and many hockey pucks and baseballs found their way through a window here or there. He was also famous for drawing the football play on his palm for the rest of the team to follow. When someone would say they didn’t understand the play, he would famously say, “just go out there and get open and I’ll throw it to you!”
Stu was a proud member of BSA Troop 2 in Wilmette. He camped a lot, learned a lot of first aid (including CPR which he recently used to revive a fellow golfer on the green), and proudly attained the rank of Eagle Scout which was a great achievement, especially in the late 1960’s. All of Stu’s scouting endeavors were happily guided by and shared with his father.
Stu went to New Trier High School (East) and quickly became a member of the boys’ soccer team and the Boy’s Ensemble, the elite, selective choral group in those days (who ever knew he could sing?). During his junior year, his father presented Stu with a challenge; if he became an Eagle Scout, lettered in a varsity sport (soccer), and got on the Honor Roll, all three in the same year, his dad would buy him a car. Far be it from Stu to pass up a throw down like that and that 1966 red mustang had a happy home with Stu.
After high school graduation, he attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He liked college alright, but what he really loved there was his affiliation with Delta Tau Delta Fraternity (the same one as his father, uncle and grandfather). He had the time of his life, while going to at least some classes, and graduated with the greatest group of lifelong friends anyone could ask for. Many of those Delt brothers became golfing buddies that have lasted and grown over decades.
Stu became a very successful salesman in the printing industry in Chicago for many years. He raised his family in Bannockburn, IL and passed along his love for sports to his two sons. After trying his hand at several other opportunities over the years, he settled on Hilton Head Island as a successful small business owner, really so he could enjoy his beloved pastime of golf. He played myriad rounds there, traveled elsewhere to play (including St Andrews) and was regularly organizing golf trips with the guys. That is really where he was in his element.
His two boys found inspiration in Stu; Michael to be successfully driven in a great career and Brian to be a very successful, passionate golfer.
This past summer, Stu had just sold his business and retired, been enjoying a lovely and kind relationship with Cindy (his awesome girlfriend), had just joined a golf Club in Florida, and was looking at real estate to become an official snowbird and Floridian, when he so sadly and suddenly passed away. Stu was super excited to soon be welcoming twin granddaughters from Mike and Annie, who will be born about two weeks after his death. He was on his “first tee” towards the best chapter of his life, to which he was so looking forward. God must have needed Stu in His foursome, so he called for him. He had never been happier in his life and definitely went out at the top of his game. It would have been great if he had more time to play “all 18” in this best and final chapter.
We will all remember his drive to have fun, his gift of sarcasm and laughter, his desire to always be looking forward to the next gathering with his buddies; and from those who truly knew him, his shy, kind heart underneath a tougher exterior which he relied on to pull him through life’s adventures.
Celebrations of Stu’s life will take place in Hilton Head on October 15, 2022, and in Wilmette on October 22, 2022. Details to follow.
Service and burial will be private.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WmScottFuneralHome.com for the Fox family.
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