James Francis Sommers, 91, entrepreneur and pioneer of the Pharmacuetical/Nutraceutical industry peacefully passed onto eternal life with the Heavenly Father at his home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with his beloved wife, Roberta, by his side.
Jim had a generosity like no other. While getting inspiration from the gentleness of Nature and the serenity of the outdoors, he passed this to everyone he knew to make sure everyone had a fair chance at life. Always maintaining his salt-of-the-earth demeanor.
Jim was born in Elgin, Illinois to Albert and Grace Sommers, the sixth of seven children. As a young boy he grew up in the Great Depression, but times were not bad for his family as his father was a master furniture maker who taught him the basics of woodworking, instilling a love he had through his life. Jim was a graduate of Elgin High School where he was a star wrestler. As his high school years went by his classmates nicknamed him 'Elgin High's Rhodes Scholar'.
After graduation Jim attended Lane Technical School to pursue a career in woodworking and worked for his aunt at Standard Pharmaceutical in Chicago. While working for his aunt, she introduced him to a young lady who taught him ballroom dancing, another passion he carried throughout his life. His plans, however, were interrupted in 1950 when he was drafted into the Air Force because of the conflict in Korea. He did his basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antino, Texas and joined the 860th Medical Group as a Medic; from there he was sent to Rhein Main AFB in Frankfurt, West Germany. Rhein Main was known as the 'Gateway to Europe' as it was the primary airlift and passenger hub for US Forces in Europe. While there for three years, Jim was busy traveling throughout Europe delivering medical supplies and setting up medical operations. Being stationed at Rhein Main afforded him access to most European countries which he traveled extensively in his time off.
After serving, Jim returned home to Elgin and resumed working for his aunt, the beginning of what was to become a stellar entrepreneurial and pioneering career in the formulating, manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals that spanned 67 years. He worked for his aunt only a few years before striking out on his own, founding his first company around 1955 and later developing several other notable companies. As Jim pioneered the development and bringing to market many lines in the nutraceuticals industry, he was a leader in expanding his market footprint through his many distributorships worldwide. Jim was the first to create many well known formulas known in the industry today. In his career he had on record over 10,000 formulas. Always ready to share his knowledge, he helped others develop their own manufacturing operations through the years. Jim was a Charter member of the Chicago Drug and Chemical Association.
Jim loved politics and while not actively involved he closely followed everything political. He was a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution as his great, great, great, great grandfather fought with the Continental army in the Revolutionary War.
Jim and his wife, Roberta, were partners in the business for twenty seven years. Although, they mostly cherished their weekends together enjoying their time between their homes in Green Lake, Pelican Lake and Lake Geneva. Sharing in the love of dance and music, they danced their way from Chicago to the Upper Peninsula, traveling to wherever they could find a good dance band while enjoying jazz concerts along the way. These wonderful memories assure Roberta that goodbyes are not forever, but only, he will be tremendously missed by her until they meet again in eternal life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and his first wife, Loretta. He is survived by his wife, Roberta. A son, a daughter, grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. And last but not least, his two little furry friend buddies he called 'his boys'.
A private service was held due to COVID restrictions.
For those who wish to make a memorial donation in memory of Jim, they may be made to The Green Lake Association, Green Lake, Wisconsin.
Jim had a generosity like no other. While getting inspiration from the gentleness of Nature and the serenity of the outdoors, he passed this to everyone he knew to make sure everyone had a fair chance at life. Always maintaining his salt-of-the-earth demeanor.
Jim was born in Elgin, Illinois to Albert and Grace Sommers, the sixth of seven children. As a young boy he grew up in the Great Depression, but times were not bad for his family as his father was a master furniture maker who taught him the basics of woodworking, instilling a love he had through his life. Jim was a graduate of Elgin High School where he was a star wrestler. As his high school years went by his classmates nicknamed him 'Elgin High's Rhodes Scholar'.
After graduation Jim attended Lane Technical School to pursue a career in woodworking and worked for his aunt at Standard Pharmaceutical in Chicago. While working for his aunt, she introduced him to a young lady who taught him ballroom dancing, another passion he carried throughout his life. His plans, however, were interrupted in 1950 when he was drafted into the Air Force because of the conflict in Korea. He did his basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antino, Texas and joined the 860th Medical Group as a Medic; from there he was sent to Rhein Main AFB in Frankfurt, West Germany. Rhein Main was known as the 'Gateway to Europe' as it was the primary airlift and passenger hub for US Forces in Europe. While there for three years, Jim was busy traveling throughout Europe delivering medical supplies and setting up medical operations. Being stationed at Rhein Main afforded him access to most European countries which he traveled extensively in his time off.
After serving, Jim returned home to Elgin and resumed working for his aunt, the beginning of what was to become a stellar entrepreneurial and pioneering career in the formulating, manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals that spanned 67 years. He worked for his aunt only a few years before striking out on his own, founding his first company around 1955 and later developing several other notable companies. As Jim pioneered the development and bringing to market many lines in the nutraceuticals industry, he was a leader in expanding his market footprint through his many distributorships worldwide. Jim was the first to create many well known formulas known in the industry today. In his career he had on record over 10,000 formulas. Always ready to share his knowledge, he helped others develop their own manufacturing operations through the years. Jim was a Charter member of the Chicago Drug and Chemical Association.
Jim loved politics and while not actively involved he closely followed everything political. He was a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution as his great, great, great, great grandfather fought with the Continental army in the Revolutionary War.
Jim and his wife, Roberta, were partners in the business for twenty seven years. Although, they mostly cherished their weekends together enjoying their time between their homes in Green Lake, Pelican Lake and Lake Geneva. Sharing in the love of dance and music, they danced their way from Chicago to the Upper Peninsula, traveling to wherever they could find a good dance band while enjoying jazz concerts along the way. These wonderful memories assure Roberta that goodbyes are not forever, but only, he will be tremendously missed by her until they meet again in eternal life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and his first wife, Loretta. He is survived by his wife, Roberta. A son, a daughter, grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. And last but not least, his two little furry friend buddies he called 'his boys'.
A private service was held due to COVID restrictions.
For those who wish to make a memorial donation in memory of Jim, they may be made to The Green Lake Association, Green Lake, Wisconsin.
James Francis Sommers, 91, entrepreneur and pioneer of the Pharmacuetical/Nutraceutical industry peacefully passed onto eternal life with the Heavenly Father at his home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with his beloved wife, Roberta, by his side.
Jim had a generosity like no other. While getting inspiration from the gentleness of Nature and the serenity of the outdoors, he passed this to everyone he knew to make sure everyone had a fair chance at life. Always maintaining his salt-of-the-earth demeanor.
Jim was born in Elgin, Illinois to Albert and Grace Sommers, the sixth of seven children. As a young boy he grew up in the Great Depression, but times were not bad for his family as his father was a master furniture maker who taught him the basics of woodworking, instilling a love he had through his life. Jim was a graduate of Elgin High School where he was a star wrestler. As his high school years went by his classmates nicknamed him 'Elgin High's Rhodes Scholar'.
After graduation Jim attended Lane Technical School to pursue a career in woodworking and worked for his aunt at Standard Pharmaceutical in Chicago. While working for his aunt, she introduced him to a young lady who taught him ballroom dancing, another passion he carried throughout his life. His plans, however, were interrupted in 1950 when he was drafted into the Air Force because of the conflict in Korea. He did his basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antino, Texas and joined the 860th Medical Group as a Medic; from there he was sent to Rhein Main AFB in Frankfurt, West Germany. Rhein Main was known as the 'Gateway to Europe' as it was the primary airlift and passenger hub for US Forces in Europe. While there for three years, Jim was busy traveling throughout Europe delivering medical supplies and setting up medical operations. Being stationed at Rhein Main afforded him access to most European countries which he traveled extensively in his time off.
After serving, Jim returned home to Elgin and resumed working for his aunt, the beginning of what was to become a stellar entrepreneurial and pioneering career in the formulating, manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals that spanned 67 years. He worked for his aunt only a few years before striking out on his own, founding his first company around 1955 and later developing several other notable companies. As Jim pioneered the development and bringing to market many lines in the nutraceuticals industry, he was a leader in expanding his market footprint through his many distributorships worldwide. Jim was the first to create many well known formulas known in the industry today. In his career he had on record over 10,000 formulas. Always ready to share his knowledge, he helped others develop their own manufacturing operations through the years. Jim was a Charter member of the Chicago Drug and Chemical Association.
Jim loved politics and while not actively involved he closely followed everything political. He was a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution as his great, great, great, great grandfather fought with the Continental army in the Revolutionary War.
Jim and his wife, Roberta, were partners in the business for twenty seven years. Although, they mostly cherished their weekends together enjoying their time between their homes in Green Lake, Pelican Lake and Lake Geneva. Sharing in the love of dance and music, they danced their way from Chicago to the Upper Peninsula, traveling to wherever they could find a good dance band while enjoying jazz concerts along the way. These wonderful memories assure Roberta that goodbyes are not forever, but only, he will be tremendously missed by her until they meet again in eternal life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and his first wife, Loretta. He is survived by his wife, Roberta. A son, a daughter, grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. And last but not least, his two little furry friend buddies he called 'his boys'.
A private service was held due to COVID restrictions.
For those who wish to make a memorial donation in memory of Jim, they may be made to The Green Lake Association, Green Lake, Wisconsin.
Jim had a generosity like no other. While getting inspiration from the gentleness of Nature and the serenity of the outdoors, he passed this to everyone he knew to make sure everyone had a fair chance at life. Always maintaining his salt-of-the-earth demeanor.
Jim was born in Elgin, Illinois to Albert and Grace Sommers, the sixth of seven children. As a young boy he grew up in the Great Depression, but times were not bad for his family as his father was a master furniture maker who taught him the basics of woodworking, instilling a love he had through his life. Jim was a graduate of Elgin High School where he was a star wrestler. As his high school years went by his classmates nicknamed him 'Elgin High's Rhodes Scholar'.
After graduation Jim attended Lane Technical School to pursue a career in woodworking and worked for his aunt at Standard Pharmaceutical in Chicago. While working for his aunt, she introduced him to a young lady who taught him ballroom dancing, another passion he carried throughout his life. His plans, however, were interrupted in 1950 when he was drafted into the Air Force because of the conflict in Korea. He did his basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antino, Texas and joined the 860th Medical Group as a Medic; from there he was sent to Rhein Main AFB in Frankfurt, West Germany. Rhein Main was known as the 'Gateway to Europe' as it was the primary airlift and passenger hub for US Forces in Europe. While there for three years, Jim was busy traveling throughout Europe delivering medical supplies and setting up medical operations. Being stationed at Rhein Main afforded him access to most European countries which he traveled extensively in his time off.
After serving, Jim returned home to Elgin and resumed working for his aunt, the beginning of what was to become a stellar entrepreneurial and pioneering career in the formulating, manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals that spanned 67 years. He worked for his aunt only a few years before striking out on his own, founding his first company around 1955 and later developing several other notable companies. As Jim pioneered the development and bringing to market many lines in the nutraceuticals industry, he was a leader in expanding his market footprint through his many distributorships worldwide. Jim was the first to create many well known formulas known in the industry today. In his career he had on record over 10,000 formulas. Always ready to share his knowledge, he helped others develop their own manufacturing operations through the years. Jim was a Charter member of the Chicago Drug and Chemical Association.
Jim loved politics and while not actively involved he closely followed everything political. He was a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution as his great, great, great, great grandfather fought with the Continental army in the Revolutionary War.
Jim and his wife, Roberta, were partners in the business for twenty seven years. Although, they mostly cherished their weekends together enjoying their time between their homes in Green Lake, Pelican Lake and Lake Geneva. Sharing in the love of dance and music, they danced their way from Chicago to the Upper Peninsula, traveling to wherever they could find a good dance band while enjoying jazz concerts along the way. These wonderful memories assure Roberta that goodbyes are not forever, but only, he will be tremendously missed by her until they meet again in eternal life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and his first wife, Loretta. He is survived by his wife, Roberta. A son, a daughter, grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. And last but not least, his two little furry friend buddies he called 'his boys'.
A private service was held due to COVID restrictions.
For those who wish to make a memorial donation in memory of Jim, they may be made to The Green Lake Association, Green Lake, Wisconsin.
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