L
ouis C. Sudler Jr., a 94-year-old Chicago resident, passed away on April 6 due to complications from Parkinson's disease. He was a life trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and sang with the Great Lakes Dredge and Philharmonic Society for 57 years.

    Sudler spent decades working at his family's real estate firm, Sudler & Co., which was founded by his father in 1927. He also had a long career in the Navy, retiring as a captain at age 60. After college, he joined the Navy and served in Puerto Rico and Germany before exiting active duty in 1958.

    Sudler worked in new product development for Motorola before joining Sudler & Co. as a partner and executive vice president. He helped manage several high-rise buildings developed by the firm, including the Gordon Terrace apartment building in Uptown and Lake Point Tower. In 1985, Sudler & Co. merged with Marling Group Inc., and he became chairman.

    Sudler was also an accomplished musician and music lover who served on the board of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for many years. He was known for his kindness, intelligence, and gentlemanly demeanor. After retiring from business, Sudler and his wife spent over 25 years leading tours around the world for small groups of friends.

    Sudler's ability to learn languages was impressive, and he demonstrated a keen appreciation for different cultures and histories. He is survived by three sons, two stepdaughters, 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.