Eric Paul Biegansky, 53, formerly of Hinsdale, died Aug. 3, 2023, at his home in Jacksonville, Fla., after a long battle with cancer.
He was born in 1970 in Rochester, N.Y., to Paul and Marianne (Rinn) Biegansky. The Bieganskys have a proud German heritage and Eric spent many memorable years of his childhood at the Frankfurt International School. He graduated high school from Bloomfield Hills Lahser in 1988 and then became a Wolverine at the University of Michigan. Eric was very proud to be a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity where he made lifelong friends with his brothers.
Eric and Jill were married for 28 years. As newlyweds they lived around family and college friends in Royal Oak, Mich., but soon moved to Chicago, where they enjoyed the city and built their family. After having Ryan and Emma, they moved to Hinsdale to raise their family. Eric was the ultimate family man.
He loved his Lane School neighborhood, volunteering as a coach, being an active member of Notre Dame parish and enjoying lasting friendships. Most of all he loved to hang out with friends and family. Eric always had a witty comment, inappropriate joke or a look that made you laugh.
Eric was incredibly smart, witty, magnetic and a very eloquent public speaker. He had a very successful career as a management consultant and partner across many firms. He was the boss everyone wanted to work for and made lifelong friends with his colleagues.
After being diagnosed with GIST cancer in 2008, he became a true warrior. He never complained about his disease; rather, he got busy living. He and Jill built Thunder Road, their beautiful cottage in Michigan.
Eric loved to choose his favorite playlist, visit with friends and family, enjoy his beach walks and his 6-mile runs in his happy place. He loved to travel and the family enjoyed many memorable vacations. His favorites were to Rome, Kauai, the US Open and French Open. At this time, Bruce Springsteen became the soundtrack of Eric's life. Bruce's spirit and lyrics were a true inspiration to Eric in battling his disease. The Bieganskys became Bruce groupies, and he and Jill saw Springsteen shows all over the world.
Eric was a strong advocate and spokesperson for GIST cancer. He was a selfless mentor to many, a fundraiser for GIST research and served on the Boards of the Life Raft Group: GIST Support Through Patient Powered Science and the Wellness House.
Eric is survived by his wife, Jill; his children, Ryan and Emma; his parents, Paul and Marianne; his sisters, Sonya (Ken) Yeadon and Nicole (Nate) Mather; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at Notre Dame Church, 64 Norfolk Ave., Clarendon Hills.
A funeral service will follow held at 11 a.m. at the church.
Eric's celebration of life will immediately follow at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made online to The Life Raft Group at http://www.liferaftgroup.org or Wellness House at http://www.wellnesshouse.org.
