Thomas C. Singer

Thomas C.  Singer, 69, died on January 20, 2022, at Carle Hospital.

Tom was born on November 2, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois to Calvin and Shirley (Grace) Singer. He is survived by his sister Susan Singer.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Kowalski Singer; they married in 1977. They have two daughters, Emily Singer and Carrie Kibler (Derek) and three grandchildren: Holden Thomas Crank, Quinn Mae Kibler and Moxie Magnolia Kibler.

Tom graduated from Crete Monee High School in 1970 and earned a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

He worked as a landscaper in Champaign Urbana and In the Chicago suburbs and eventually started his own landscape design business in Urbana. Later, he worked as a campus planner at the University of Illinois Intramural Sports Department and retired from the University after 20 years of service.

Tom was a jazz trumpet player and played in the UI marching band, UI Jazz Bands, the Parkland Big Band, H the 8th Letter, and his own combo, Weasel Dreams, co-led with Gary Peyton (deceased), with a revolving cadre of local musicians, playing happy hour jazz at Champaign-Urbana venues including the Iron Post for many years.

Tom and Gary were kitchen beer brewers and labeled their beers Dreamin’ Weasel Brewery products. They were also connoisseurs of the local microbrews, and kept up pre rehearsal “warmups” even when they’d retired from playing in jazz bands.

He was a bird watcher, both at home, where he kept the bird feeders filled with seed for the many migrants and visitors along the flyway, and along the country roads of Illinois and Wisconsin. He was fond of discovering new parks and natural, birdy places to visit.

A memorial reception is planned for the spring of 2022. Memorial contributions may be made to the Illinois Nature Conservancy.

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