Taavi Kaups

His father was a Baptist pastor and served in several congregations in Pärnu, Keila, and Tallinn, Estonia. Taavi attended Reaalkool in Tallinn, Estonia for two years but this was interrupted by the Soviet invasion of Estonia.  In 1943, he went to Finland and joined the Finnish army, as a volunteer, and graduated from the officers’ course as one of the youngest 2nd Lieutenants and served with the Infantry Regiment 200 (JR 200) – ‘For the freedom of Finland and the honor of Estonia’).  In recognition of his service, he was awarded the First Class Medal of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, by the government of Finland in 2021. With the re-occupation of Estonia, he returned with many of the ‘Soomepoisid’ to Estonia in August 1944. Taavi then escaped with his family from Estonia, sailing to Sweden in September 1944.  He was selected to attend the Sigtuna Eesti Gümnaasium and also studied at Stockholm University. He was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin and arrived in the USA, via Ellis Island, in 1949. He earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Civil Engineering at Wisconsin.

Taavi then moved to Chicago and started working for the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company. He met Esther in February 1958, and they were married in July of that year.  They recently celebrated their 65th anniversary of life together.  In May 1958, Taavi sincerely and completely surrendered his life to Jesus—a decision he remembered as the most important of his life.

He was transferred to Holland in 1960, and the growing family spent the next 10 years living in Europe.  The family grew to include Krista, Laury, Karin and Katrin.  In 1970 the family moved from Europe to Naperville, Illinois where Taavi and Esther lived until moving to California in 2021 to be closer to family.  During that time, they were members at Central Baptist Church and Grace Pointe Church in Naperville.  They have also been members of the Toronto Estonian Baptist Church for many years.

Taavi spent 38 years working for the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, an engineering and construction company.  He held various positions within the company, working in Holland, England, Sweden, Oak Brook and Plainfield, IL. Taavi's work allowed him to travel extensively throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, South America, and Australia. He retired in 1993, as CBI’s Chief Structural Engineer.

Taavi was accomplished and knowledgeable in many areas. He spoke 6 languages, had notable artistic talents, athletic talents (although not musical ones!) but his life was marked by his absolute integrity, commitment to others, his quiet kindness, and his steadfast belief and faith in Christ.

Taavi was a beloved husband to Esther and a devoted father to Krista Kaups of Fresno, CA, Laury Kaups, Karin Kaups of Seattle, WA, and Katrin (Todd) Nygren of Torrance, CA . He was also a cherished grandfather of Anna (Sam) Barnes, Markus, Liina, Lydia and Jonas Nygren.  Taavi is survived by his sister, Aili Kaups and other family members in the United States, Canada, Sweden and Estonia. He was preceded in death by daughter Laury Kaups, his parents, Richard and Salme Kaups and his brothers, Kalle and Matti Kaups.

A memorial service to celebrate Taavi's life will be held at 11 am on March 9, 2024, at Journey South Bay, 2761 W. 190th St, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. A lunch reception will follow. Memorial donations can be made to Josiah Venture (josiahventure.com, specify for Estonia projects:Taavi Kaups Memorial donation), Our Daily Bread (Our Daily Bread (odb.org) ) or World Vision - Education  (https://donate.worldvision.org/give/education-for-children).