Milton Cox

Milton Earl Cox, 93, died suddenly on April 21, 2021, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He is survived by his wife Ursula, his sister Elsie, his children; Jeffrey (Debbie), Laurie (Steve Schellenberger), Jennifer, and David (Christine), seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

Milt was born in 1927 in Sterling, Illinois, spent his early years on a farm, even beginning 1st grade at 5 years old in the one room schoolhouse, later the family moved to Oak Park. He graduated from Oak Park – River Forest High School, achieved a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago, and a Master of Business Administration from University of Chicago. Both in high school and college, Milt was a member of the track and field teams as a hurdler.

He met his wife, Ursula, at IIT. They were both active in campus life, he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and worked in the admissions office. They were married in September of 1951 in Chicago. Moving to Glen Ellyn in 1956, he established his young growing family in the First United Methodist Church. He was active in church groups such as 60-60, Dinner Discussion Group, and served in many capacities. He loved the outdoors and took his family on many road trips to see the United States, camping along the way. 

During his illustrious 46-year career with Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. a global safety science leader, he was a member of the International Electrical Congress based in Geneva, Switzerland. He served as secretary of one of the committees working on international electrical safety standards. This work allowed him, along with Ursula, to travel the world. His business travels also turned him into an avid collector of hippos, of all sizes and made of all different materials. His collection expanded with many gifts of hippos from family and friends.

Milt was a sports fan and thrilled to see the Cubs finally win a World Series in 2016. He enjoyed playing tennis and golf. He also enjoyed the arts, music, and the theater. For over 30 years, Milt and Ursula were season ticket holders, attending plays at The Goodman Theater. His post retirement years found him active in the Glen Ellyn Historical Society. For many years after retirement from ‘The Lab’ he returned monthly to provide tours of the facilities to school groups.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 7, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Leonard Memorial Funeral Home, Glen Ellyn.  A private family service will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn https://www.geumc.org/ or the Glen Ellyn Historical Society https://www.gehs.org/ .