George Tarpanoff Jr.

George Tarpanoff Jr., 80, a resident of Oak Lawn, Illinois for 49 years, transitioned peacefully onto his next journey on April 13, 2022.

George valued visiting with all his friends and family. He kept busy at Moraine Valley Community College with exercising at Fit Rec, watching the Shakespeare plays, even appearing in two himself, “As You Like It” in July 2009 and “Mac Beth” in July 2010. He enjoyed being the forever student, taking classes up until he couldn’t any longer. Learning kept him young!

As an avid reader, the Oak Lawn Public Library was his second home. Checking out hundreds of books, from car repair to becoming a doctor, historical biographies and non-fiction were his favorites. He supported the Friends of the Library by purchasing many books over the span of 50 years. He appeared on the back of the Oak Lawn Library newsletter 2020 where is said, “It has been the best bargain of my life and the people here have been absolutely wonderful!”.

As nature lover, Geroge spent endless hours at the Little Red School House and walking trails at Swallow Cliff. He loved the Morton Arboretum and walking around Abbott labs property even though the signs said No Trespassing! Basically, anywhere he could walk, run, see birds, trees and leaves.

Although he loved teaching all children, he was most honored to have taught 7th grade CCD in the fall of 1983 at Our Lady of Ridge Church as well as some evening classes at Moraine Valley Community College.

However, not much was better than the Nickel Plate Railroad, those steam engines and trains…whew!! He always said that if you learned everything about steam engines and trains, then you are a mechanical engineer. George grew up with the railroad in his backyard on E. 93rd St. and his dad was a railroad man. Growing up in the city, downtown Chicago was his love. Every museum, every library, every street, train and neighborhood were his playground. If we could have had every memory and story George had in his head about downtown, there would have been volumes of books written.

George graduated from Chicago Vocational School and excelled from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with honors earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Class of 1968. George found his love for running at college and after many, many races, he ran his last 5K race this past Halloween at Moraine Valley College.

In early 1968, he started his working as a Project Engineer at Republic Steel Corporation. Then made his way through Kaiser Engineers, Verson Allsteel Press Company and United Engineers & Constructors (Inland Steel & Granite City Steel). In 2007, he retired as a Senior Mechanical Engineer from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society for Technical Communications.

He maintained friendships with people from every phase of his life. Those who encountered George recognized the love in his heart and the sparkle in his eye. We knew he was a sweet, kind, generous, loving and caring person, but hearing it from all of you was heartwarming. He blessed us with treasured memories, simply impossible to forget.

This only a small part of George’s life, he never stopped learning, growing, exploring and evolving.

Loving Uncle of Christina (Joseph) Tiesch and Michelle (Richard) Campbell. Great Uncle to Joseph Jr. and Jason Tiesch and Amanda, Zachary and Madeline Campbell. Beloved brother of Christopher (Sandy) Tarpanoff and the late Rose (late Ralph) Colbert.

We were lucky to have him as our sweet Uncle George and part of our family.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of George to a charity of your choice. Thank you.

Services will be Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

Morning Visitation: 9-11 am - Vandenberg Funeral Home, 17248 S. Harlem, Tinley Park

Family Rememberences: 11-11:45 am

Graveside Prayer Service to follow: Tinley Park Memorial Cemetery, corner of 171st & 84th Ave. TP