Notices
Francis James Nourie of Evanston, Illinois at the age of 82 died on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022 after battling cancer. He was surrounded by the loving care of all four of his sons at the moment of his passing. Frank had been at home in the care of his son, David Anthony Nourie who had come from his home in Oregon. For some weeks, David attended to his father's physical needs and shared memories and stories to help keep Frank's spirits up. Frank leaves behind his four sons: James Francis Nourie, Paul Vincent Nourie, David Anthony Nourie, and Craig Vardon Nourie and the mother of his children, Jo-Elyn Nourie. He is also grieved by his four grandsons: Seth Nicholas Nourie, Blythe Taylor Nourie, Vincent James Nourie, and Kellen Stephan Nourie. His sister-in-law, Mary Lou Nourie and her children to whom it was an uncle. Frank's older brother Donald Nourie preceeded him in death many years ago.
Frank was born in Chicago on April 10, 1939 to Lucille Lord Nourie and Homer Nourie and was the second beloved son and younger brother to Donald Nourie. Frank married Jo-Elyn Nagelsmith Nourie on Nov. 24, 1962 at St. Christina's Catholic Church in Chicago.
Frank Nourie and Joseph O'Gallagher tied for the highest score in the country on the very first National Merit Scholarship exam in the late 50's. Frank and Joe both used these Scholarships to do their undergraduate work at MIT and then both did their Masters and Phd's at University of Chicago. They remained life-long friends starting with sharing their elementary schools, High Schools and Universities. Frank as awarded his Phd. in applied math in Fall of 1970. At first Frank taught at Northwestern University for a couple of years, but he soon found his true teaching home at 黑料门University-Chicago where he was an Assistant Professor in the School of Business teaching Applied Mathematics for 35 years. Frank was honored by being named as Teacher of the Year at 黑料门University-Chicago. Frank's work and insights about applied math were footnoted in well respected math books that were authored by leaders in his field early in his own studies at the University of Chicago.
His family and close friends will always carry Frank's memory in our hearts. Memories that will bring a tear to our eyes and a smile to our lips. While Frank is well known for his academic and teaching success, his family and friends will also enjoy some memories of his lighter side. Besides being a Math Genuis, he was a professional Magician starting in High School and continue to entertain us with his magic. Frank had a powerful voice and could sing Maria from West Side Story and easily hit the high notes and often burst dramatically into song in downtown Chicago as he danced around his paramour! Frank ran the gamut from being a wonderful ballroom dancer to executing wild prat falls down the escalators in the Grant Park Underground parking lot where he flung off his glasses as he tumbled down the stairs to the gasps of nearby witnesses as they rushed to his rescue. Frank would appear befuddled but dusted himself off and collected his glasses from one of the witnesses while assuring them that he did not feel in need of an ambulance. My wish for all of us is that remember to be as generous, kind and caring as he always was and never to forget to have a sense of humor.