Carl H. Nauert III, 70, of Forest Park, formerly of River Forest, known affectionately to his family as Herb, died on Feb. 21, 2026. Born on July 29, 1955, in Evansville, Indiana, his family moved to Homewood when he was in second grade and after graduating from Homewood Flossmoor High School in 1973, he he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1977 from Purdue University.
His love of music was nurtured from an early age by both of his parents. He learned to play clarinet and joined the Homewood Flossmoor High School marching band. While in college he played clarinet in the Purdue Orchestra Band.
He began his professional journey with IBM as a systems engineer, demonstrating his remarkable talent and work ethic from the very start. He was a mentor to many, sharing his knowledge and experience with grace and humility. He retired from IBM as a systems engineering manager after 30 years of service.
His favorite pastimes included playing golf with his buddies on the weekends, playing his clarinet in a woodwind quintet at church, and enjoying camping trips with his wife, Julie, more recently traveling in their RV to visit many of our National and State parks and watching Cubs and Bears games. He enjoyed crossword puzzles and playing computer games.
He and Julie joined First United Church of Oak Park in 1994 and over the years played an important role in the church, generously serving on numerous committees and supporting his fellow members as well as the wider community in many ways. His compassion and cheerful nature will be greatly missed.
Carl met his wife, Julie, at IBM, and they were married on May 24, 1981. He is also survived by his brothers, Robert (Heidi) and Michael (Margo); his brother-in-law John (Debbie); his niece, Katie (Bryan); his nephews, Greg, Zack (Hannah), Jim (Crystal), Alex (Jeannette) and Andrew (Cody); his great-niece and nephews, Brayton, Kennedy, Landon, Jensen, Theo and Nico; his aunt, Barbara; his cousins, Carla (Mike), Gayle (Tom), Dawn (Tim), Greg (Marcia), Helen, Susie (Tim) and Charley (Randi). He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister in-law Donna, her husband Mark, and his nephew, Joshua.
A memorial service to celebrate Carl’s life will take place at First United Church of Oak Park sometime in late May or early June.
In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in his memory or donating to one of the charities that were important to him.