Terry A. Travis

Terry was born June 16, 1937, in Champaign, IL, to Elmo Arthur and Helen (Hodgsdon) Travis. He died August 14, 2025, at home in Springfield, Illinois.

Terry aspired to become a physician at an early age. He received his B.A. in Zoology and English. He was an Exchange Scholar and received a Fulbright Grant to the University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany. He also had a Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Scholarship to the University of Vienna, Austria. Terry graduated from the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, in 1964, and completed his internship in neurology and residency in Psychiatry there in 1968.

He attended Graduate School and received an M.S. in Education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois.

Terry served his country by enlisting as a psychiatrist in the U.S. Army in 1968, where he was stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Upon discharge, he practiced at the University of Iowa prior to joining the faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine as both physician and teacher. Two of his proudest moments were being chosen by students as one of the three best teachers in their medical training and being a father to his two daughters. He was Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Terry also worked part-time at the Springfield Mental Health Center and for the State of Illinois Department of Disability.

He lived life fully and had immense curiosity. He married the love of his life, Carol Schrage on October 5, 1996. His many interests included sculpting, not only collecting, but also doing a few pieces of his own. He also enjoyed art, music, reading, and world travel, visiting numerous countries and continents.

Among his many professional accomplishments was authoring a book on Psychiatry. Terry also donated four large sculptures to the Lincoln Land Community College Foundation.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Tamara. He leaves behind his beloved wife Carol, daughters Laura Wilson, Julie Travis, granddaughter Olivia Wilson, and grandson Aaron Wilson.

He would like to be remembered with a smile.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road, Springfield, IL, with the urn burial to follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 10:30 am until the time of the service on Tuesday at Bisch West. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the SIU Simmons Cancer Research Center or the SIU School of Medicine.