Olin Neill Emmons, a respected financial professional and longtime resident of Kendall County, IL, died May 3, 2014, in Wheaton, IL, following a lengthy decline in health with advancing age. His family had recently celebrated his 97th birthday with him.

He was born in Chicago, IL on April 5, 1917, the son of Olin J. Emmons and Myrl Weaver Emmons. He grew up in the Chicago area, graduating from Elgin High School in 1935. He earned a B.A. in Business from the University of Chicago in 1943. As an undergraduate, he was an active member of the Chi Psi Fraternity. He worked through college as a repairman for Illinois Bell Telephone Co.

He continued his academic pursuits at the University of Chicago and earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration in 1946. He subsequently earned certification as a Certified Public Accountant in 1950 and as a Chartered Financial Analyst in 1974, and was one of the earliest financial professionals in Illinois to hold both certifications.

While an undergraduate at the University of Chicago, he met Mary Park Welsh, whom he married on October 18, 1941, in the Bond Chapel at the University of Chicago. She preceded him in death on November 27, 2007.

After receiving his MBA degree, he served as a manager of several companies in the just-emerging frozen food industry. In 1951, he joined Wolf and Company, an accounting firm. While there, he co-authored a study that led to reorganization of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

In 1953 he joined Amsted Industries, Inc., a diversified Chicago manufacturing company, where he held the title of Director of Business Research, and was responsible for analyzing the benefits of potential mergers and acquisitions.

In 1966 he made a significant career change when he joined The Chicago Corp. and became an investment banker. In that role he managed the initial public offering of Waste Management, Inc. in 1971 and multiple additional stock offerings thereafter. He served on Waste Management's board of directors for 20 years, as it grew to become a Fortune 100 company. He also served on the board of Chemical Waste Management, from its inception in 1987 until 1993. He also served on the boards of directors of eight privately held corporations.

After leaving The Chicago Corp. in 1976, he continued to work in the financial services industry as an executive of Prudential Bache Securities, and as a financial consultant.

During his years in Chicago, he was active in civic affairs, serving on the Boards of youth centers, neighborhood organizations, The Latin School of Chicago, and the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago (a predecessor to United Way).When he and his wife Parkie moved to a family-owned property near Plano, IL in 1964, he became active in a number of nature conservation organizations including The Conservation Foundation, two watershed management commissions, and the Little Rock Township Library Board.

The Emmons residence, one mile south of Plano, was designed by regionally prominent architect R. Harold Zook. The house sits on a bluff on 60 acres of heavily wooded land, known as Emmons Woods. It also was home to four German Shepherds beloved by Mr. Emmons.

In 1997, Mr. and Mrs. Emmons granted easements on all but three acres of the property to the state of Illinois as an Illinois Nature Reserve, ensuring its availability as a natural area for coming generations. Emmons Woods is home to more than 100 native species, believed to be the highest total for any of the 381 nature preserves in Illinois.

Mr. Emmons is survived by his sister, Evelyn Emmons Holmes, age 102, and by his three daughters; Catherine Emmons Phelps (Lewis) of Pasadena, CA, Susan Emmons Bentley (Michael) of Salem, VA, and Nancy Emmons Cinatl of Wheaton, IL., as well as seven grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 from 5-7 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, IL. A memorial service will take place at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago on Thursday, July 3 at 11:00 a.m. . Interment will be private.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either The Conservation Foundation or the Chi Psi Educational Trust .