Gust Xamplas

Gus was born in Chicago, IL in October 1949 to John and Bridget Xamplas and grew up in a three flat with his step sister and brother, Toni (Antoinette) and Patrick Murphy surrounded by his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Early on Gus learned to play accordion, later taking lessons from famed jazz accordionist Leon Sash. At 14 years old, Gus was regularly performing in night clubs and at luncheons around Chicago.

Graduating from Lane Tech High School in 1967, Gus enrolled at the Illinois Institute of Technology to study engineering. He soon realized his studies interfered with his billiards and performing, and dropped out 3 semesters later. Having lost his college deferment, Gus was drafted into the U.S. Army. He married his then girlfriend, Paulette Lindgren, and deployed to Vietnam in 1970. He often referred to his deployment as ‘camping at the government’s request’.

In Vietnam, his musical talent led to a change in his MOS from infantry to a member of the U.S. Army Band for the 101st Airborne. His performances ranged from playing in the officer clubs and military parades, to flying in and out of military bases where he and his bandmates entertained the troops. It was in the Army that Gus developed his love for physical fitness, in particular, long distance running. He completed his deployment and returned stateside to Fort Hood in Killeen, TX. in 1971.

Honorably discharged from the Army, Gus and Paulette moved to Harlingen, TX where Gus got his first job in finance, with local Household Finance Corp. (HFC). His stories of collecting bad debt through his persona, Lewis Akers, were legendary, and likely the reason there are laws against debtor harassment today. A few years later, Gus took over the Birmingham, AL office of HFC, the first of many relocations over the next two decades, with Gus claiming 28 different addresses throughout his career.

Following the birth of their daughter, Andrea in 1975, the family returned to the Chicago area with Gus working at Citizens Bank and Trust, and graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Depaul University. As a non-traditional student working full time, Gus commuted from home to the office and also to class in downtown Chicago, most often by running, soon training and completing the first of eight marathons he would run during his lifetime.

The 1980’s brought additional opportunities with US Leasing and AT&T Credit Corp, as well as the birth of Amanda, in 1986 in New Jersey, and career advancement opportunities in Bloomington, IL, Kalamazoo, MI and Jacksonville, FL. Gus’ marriage to Paulette ended in 2000.

Gus officially met Tamara while both were working for Bank of America in Jacksonville, FL in late 2000, though their paths virtually crossed in both Bloomington, IL and Kalamazoo, MI, brought about by mergers of the financial institutions where each worked. In Jacksonville, an employee of Tamara’s complained about a manager that was uncooperative in releasing cubicle space needed for a corporate re-stack. Turning the corner to this difficult manager’s office Tamara recognized the Xamplas name, made the connection to their previous employer, and managed to charm him enough so that she got the needed space. Lunch dates, beach dates, triathlon races, and more followed, and it was clear Gus and Tamara shared something special.

Having transitioned from consumer lending to indirect lending and vehicle remarketing with Bank of America, Gus accepted relocation to Newport Beach, California, in 2001 with Tamara by his side. For three years, Gus (and Tamara) made the most of this California assignment, connecting with distant relatives, parasailing, bicycling the beaches, attending Anaheim Angel and LA Dodger games, concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, frequent trips to wine country, (often resulting in hangovers for out-of-town guests), running along the BackBay of Newport Beach, and in 2003, they were married in Chicago, IL.

The liquidation of Bank of America’s lease portfolio ended the California position, and with Tamara relocating to Chicago to care for Gus’ Dad, Gus went to work with Wells Fargo in Des Moines, IA in 2004. Three years of driving 700 miles, Des Moines to Chicago and back, before being able to join her in 2007 when he went to work for Donlen Corp.

Moving into the building that he was born and raised in, later buying and renovating it, caring for his Dad and re-discovering Chicago were some of the greatest times of enjoyment for Gus. Running and cycling the lakefront of Lake Michigan, walking for hours through neighborhoods, enjoying the theater, starting an art collection, attending the symphony, New Year’s Eve black tie events, and lunching at his Cousin John’s CND Gyros joint on East Grand Avenue. Chicago hot dogs, deep dish pizza, (though he later admitted he preferred thin crust), and italian beef sandwiches were regular treats. His love of Chicago was deep and strong.

The connections Gus made while working in the remarketing industry deepened in Chicago, and it was through these connections that his love of motorcycling was ignited. Buying their first bikes in 2009, he joked “My wife wouldn’t let me buy one motorcycle…she would let me buy two!”

Being blessed with motorcycling friends who shepherded these rookie riders, Tamara and Gus rode with the Accelerators on their annual trips, with Gus missing two trips in his 15 years of riding, Tamara missing three. It is hard to put into words how special the Accelerators are to each other, to Gus and to Tamara. Five to seven days of great riding, love and laughter of great friends, with special memories all around. The most frequent question asked of Tamara during these trips was “Where’s Gus” and the most frequent statement made by any one Accelerator at any one time during the trip was “We’re waiting on Gus.” A special guy running to a special tune. In 2016 and 2019, Gus embarked on two solo motorcycle trips, couch-surfing, hoteling, and camping across the US and Canada, remarkably free of mishaps, unless you count the dropped bike incidents, one of which resulted in Gus being rebuked by a bystander telling him “it’s time for a Trike!”

Leaving Donlen in 2014,Gus enthusiastically took on the role of house husband, cleaning, shopping, making entertainment plans and otherwise settling into a different phase of life. His cooking skills, always a bit 50-50 pass/fail, became more reliably 75/25, and his annual tradition of baking and sharing date nut bread with friends and family around the country is well known. Affectionately known as the ‘Christmas Bricks’ their annual arrival at recipient’s doorsteps were known to cause arguments and hoarding, a fact that Gus reveled in. His date nut baking prowess he delighted in sharing with his grandkids, with him going all out in white chef’s gear, and never letting them slack in the kitchen. Being nearer to Chicago enabled Gus to spend more time with his children and grandchildren, during holidays, special events and the annual lake house vacations. Chaos reigned during those weeks and he loved it.

His marriage to Tamara and the romance of their relationship can be best played out to virtually any Frank Sinatra tune, their favorite artist. Each adored the other, arguing only when trying to ‘out nice’ each other, much to the gagging of friends and family. Their laughter was uproarious, contagious and frequent, their respect and consideration for each other a model to all. Having had dogs as pets previously, Gus came to dote on the cats that became a part of their lives, climbing a tree to rescue one in California and chasing another across a gas station parking lot on one of his Des Moines to Chicago drives.

Tamara retired in 2020 and the two took off to all parts in the US in their much beloved Truck Camper. Hiking, riding, touring and otherwise talking across campfires, Gus said he was finally able to enjoy his retirement, once she was alongside him. His stories of flat tires, bear and bison encounters, desolate roads, riding on private ranch land praying some boys of Texas let them pass, terrible weather, gathering with friends, all told with the deepest sense of happiness and contentment. An upgrade to a Class A Motorcoach, named The Ditka for his love-hate relationship with the Chicago Bears, brought a new level of comfort, if for no other reason it came with a giant undercarriage purse for all of Gus’ tools and equipment, including weights and workout gear, of course. A blessing of always being prepared that likely reduced gas mileage!

Gus died unexpectedly August 24, 2024 in Beaufort, South Carolina as he and Tamara were returning to Florida from an Accelerators annual motorcycling trip in North Carolina, fulfilling his promise to ‘not get old’ on Tamara. The morning of his death he commented how much he enjoyed the trip, and especially being with friends he so loved. He is survived by Tamara Xamplas, Andrea (Chris) Greer, Amanda (Aaron) Newman and Mark Jonaitis, and seven grandchildren, Dylan, Kyle, and Julia Rasmussen, Bryan and William Greer, and Evelyn and Grayson Newman.

There are no words to describe the loss we feel as wife, daughters, sons in law, brother in law, grandchildren and the best of friends. There is no time when we will feel less pain, just less sobbing. Gus did not want anyone to wallow in grief over his passing, Tamara says, wallow if you will, but only for a bit, and end with a toast of remembrance and cheer. Hug your family and friends, tell them you love them, make your wishes clear, this is the greatest gift you can give. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, nor is anyone promised to you, tomorrow.