Nicholas "Nick" Langer's Obituary
Nicholas “Nick” Edward Langer
2/4/1949-4/8/2024
Nick was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma to parents Raymond and Juanita. Growing up his family moved frequently, from Tacoma, to Iowa, and back again. Nick was a natural scholar. He attended seven different elementary schools, attended Jason Lee, graduated from Stadium High School in 1967, went on to Occidental (1971) and then University of Chicago where he graduated with an MBA in 1973.
He had a long and varied career that he was very proud of. Highlights include working at a paper mill, drapery and shoe sales, corporate finance and loans, and tax preparations which is something he enjoyed doing almost every year in his retirement. Nick loved traveling and new experiences. He explored numerous national parks while hiking and camping, and went on countless road trips across the country.
While he enjoyed the outdoors he had quite a few hobbies and interests. He spent many years honing his painting and photography skills, gardening, reading historical and nonfiction, and researching his ancestry. His ultimate passion in life was personal finance. Nick dedicated a lot of his time and effort to tax preparation and giving advice to friends and family.
His volunteering history also included being a docent at the Washington State History Museum, donated fifteen gallons blood to Cascade Regional Blood Services, and was active at his daughter’s schools.
Nick met his wife Francis at the YMCA. Nick was running on the track and so was Francis. He asked her out one Friday night and the rest is history. They were married September 10th, 1984, and had their first daughter, Laura, in 1987. A second daughter, Sarah, followed soon after in 1990, the same year they moved into the house Nick spent the rest of his life residing at.
While the girls grew up the family went on many trips and vacations, added a sweet family dog that Nick adored, and Nick spent much of his leisure time keeping up and maintaining his garden. Nick and Francis rooted for multiple local sports teams. They had a blast attending Rainiers games and developed a love for hockey in the last few years, watching every Kraken game they could.
After a long career Nick enjoyed a mostly relaxing, well deserved retirement. He kept up with his high school friends at regular luncheons and continued to travel, exploring the Pacific Northwest with Francis as much as they could.
During one of those trips he unexpectedly grew ill. They came home and Nick was admitted for treatment at Tacoma General hospital where a highly skilled, competent medical team helped him fight for sixty-six days. Unfortunately his treatment was unsuccessful and Nick passed away on April 8th, 2024, surrounded by his family.
He was loved by many and a friend to even more. He had a never ending passion for learning and information, a wry sense of humor and a generous heart. He left a positive impact on those around him and he will be missed immensely every day.
A lover of clever sayings, Nick would be pleased to impart a favorite gem of his one more time: “Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable.”
Nick leaves behind his beloved wife Francis, daughters Laura (Carl) and Sarah, sisters Deborah and Beverly, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. In lieu of flowers, please consider doing something nice for your community or donating your time to a great cause such as giving blood.
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