Theodore “Ted” Long, Ph.D., passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2022, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Born November 15, 1932, Ted was the second of six children born to the late Clarence Alpha Long and Mabel Irene, née Baccus, Long. Ted was predeceased by his brothers, James, Joseph (Heidi), Frederick, and Donald (Geraldine). He is survived by a sister, Barbara Jean. He is also survived by his wife of 49 years, Leora Kathryn “Kay,” née Taylor, Long. They lived in Wilmette.

Ted grew up on Chicago’s west side where he joyfully embraced the cultural and culinary diversity of his Italian / Jewish neighborhood. This was the beginning of Ted’s lifelong enthusiasm for diverse cultures and languages.

As a boy, he was fascinated by his great-grandmother’s player piano and begged his mother for piano lessons which were difficult to provide during the Great Depression. Young Ted went to work with a paper route and as a grocery store stock boy. By age 15, he had amassed enough to buy a piano and lessons. Ted later studied classical organ at Chicago’s American Conservatory of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music Degree.

Ted served in the U.S. Air Force as a cryptographer during the Korean War. Being in Korea and Japan, as well as exposure to other languages while studying at the Conservatory, led him to enroll in a teaching program in Spanish and French at The University of Illinois at Navy Pier and later at the Chicago Campus.

After earning his teaching certificate, he began teaching at Evanston’s Skiles Junior High School and then at Evanston Township High School. Ted later taught Spanish and French at the Rabbi Oscar Fasman Yeshiva in Skokie and at Elmhurst College.

Ted enrolled in summer programs in Madrid and Paris, bringing his language proficiency to near-native levels. He completed a Master’s Degree in Spanish at Roosevelt University. A Ph.D. in Education and a Master’s Degree in Counseling completed his formal education.

Ted’s love of languages did not end with French and Spanish. He also studied German, Russian, Latin, Japanese, Chinese, Hebrew, Lithuanian, and Norwegian.

Ted’s enthusiasms were not limited to languages. He also enjoyed artistic projects and creative writing. His interest in family stories inspired him to extensive genealogical research.

Finally, Ted was quite involved in religion. He studied at Moody Bible Institute, lead gospel teams at San Antonio’s Christian Servicemen’s Center, worked for Catholic Charities, and collected Bibles in all of the languages he studied.

In recent years, Ted’s battle with Parkinson’s Disease limited his enthusiasms and activities. Ted requested cremation and chose not to have a funeral or memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church, 2614 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL, 60647 (minnekirken-chicago.org).

Funeral info:  847.673.6111.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Theodore "Ted" Long, Ph.D., please visit our Tribute Store.