Obituaries

Thomas Arthur Freeburg, 75, of St. Charles, died September 17, 2018, at Delnor Northwestern Hospital, Geneva, Illinois, after a courageous battle with leukemia.

Tom spent 40 years at Motorola, retiring in 2003 as Corporate Vice President, Director of Technology, and Chief Futurist. He served as Chief Technology Officer at MemoryLink, 2003-2015, and more recently as a consultant for specialized engineering projects.

Known to family and friends as “The Wizard,” Tom was a globally recognized technology visionary who was involved in wireless data and cellular for the entire existence of these technologies, having invented key elements that underlie much of the industry. He was a leading expert in broadband Internet, especially in the unlicensed wireless areas. He held over 80 U.S. patents and published over 120 papers in various fields.

Born in Peoria on October 5, 1942, he was the son of Dale and Deborah Freeburg. He held a BSEE from Bradley University, where he was a member of the College of Engineering Industry Advisory Board. He also held an MSEE from Illinois Institute of Technology.

Tom’s many interests included amateur radio, woodworking, metalworking, photography, antique vehicles, and the history of technology. He was the “go-to” person for computer and technology issues, patiently solving problems for family and friends.

Those who will cherish his memory include his wife Sharon S. Darling; his daughter Anne (Moises) Perez; his son Jason (Jennifer) Freeburg; his sister Deborah (Bill) Stickelmaier; his former wife Sarajane Shelton Freeburg; grandchildren Natalia Perez and Colin Pedersen; extended family and many dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dale Freeburg Memorial Scholarship Fund at Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois.

A memorial service will be held on October 28. For details: www.thomasfreeburg. remembered.com.

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