Theodore Elmer Cornell III

Born on November 25, 1949, Theodore lived a full and meaningful life defined by his boundless positivity and curiosity, devotion to family, and a love of connecting with people and hearing their stories. A lifelong resident of the Chicago area, he built both his personal and professional life in and around the city he loved.

A proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University School of Law, Ted was a distinguished attorney and partner at Seyfarth, where he earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike for his integrity, thoughtful counsel, and commitment to excellence. As he did in everything, he valued the relationships and the intellectual challenge his work gave him.

Above all else, Ted was a family man. He is survived by his four children—Ted (Jackie), Will (Betsey), John (Meredith), and Jane (Robbie); his beloved grandchildren, Vivian, Caroline, Robbie, Lily, and Kathryn; his former wife Laura; his partner Nancy who he shared the last fourteen years of his life; and his siblings Ed & Mary. Ted took immense pride in his family, retelling his children's successes (and sometimes missteps) with a chuckle and a shake of the head. He often said all he needed was to spend time with family and meant it, showing equal joy in attending a t-ball game or playing with a grandchild on the carpet, as traveling with his kids or many friends.

Ted had a passion for life and for finding joy in every situation. Drawn to blues and Americana, he traveled to New Orleans often in later years for the music and the culture, though he stayed open to any genre or act and was always ready to be won over. A devoted Cubs and Notre Dame football fan, he followed both closely but never let a loss dampen his mood, and he rooted for any team that mattered to the people in his life. An avid golfer and cyclist, he treated both less as competition than as a chance to learn and connect.

Ted loved stories, and loved hearing them as much as telling them. The surest way to sell him anything was to provide an intriguing backstory that he could carry on to whoever he would share the item with. He delighted in having a particular bond with each person in his life and found a way to reinforce it, whether sending valentines day cards to his nieces or gag gifts to his children. He will be remembered for his warmth, his steady presence, and his ability to make those around him feel valued and loved.

His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the friendships he nurtured, and the many lives he touched throughout his career and community.