Douglas H. Sheldon

Douglas H. Sheldon (44) of Chicago, IL passed away on July 21st with his wife Kim and sister Amy by his side.

Doug was a brilliant man with an adventurous spirit and a book collection large enough to qualify as a fire hazard.

Doug was born and raised in Elyria, Ohio on March 22, 1982. He was a determined child who taught himself to read by the age of four and was already fiercely loyal, ready to defend anyone he loved against injustice, traits that carried him into adulthood. He attended Kent State University where he received a triple degree in English, Criminology, and Teaching English as a Second Language. His love for travel led him to a year teaching in Germany and four years living and teaching in Japan. He eventually returned to the States, earning his Masters in Teaching English as Second Language and made his way to Chicago, a city he adored and called home for the past 13 years. After years of adjuncting, he was proud to obtain a senior lecturer position at UIC in the English department, where he taught everything from literature to research writing and rhetoric.

After meeting Kim in 2016 his life got a little brighter. Doug and Kim prioritized adventure and explored all parts of the Midwest along with 27 different countries in their (too) short ten years together. Doug was an incredible partner and friend who was just as quick to make you laugh as he was to give you a spirited retort.

Anyone who knew Doug knew of his love for reading. He was always delighted to see someone with a book, no matter the subject. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of literature, film, and modernist American culture, and was both intellectually curious and defiantly resolute. He had a great love for a time gone by, shown through his affinity for film noir, fedora hats, and any house that appeared to be in a state of disrepair. Doug had the uncanny ability to find a great dive bar just about anywhere, identify the best scotch, and spot the perfect accessory.

Doug’s talents were limitless. He was a prolific writer and a scholar of midwestern and modernist literature. He was also an excellent cook, guitarist, and mixologist - and contrary to his freshmen teacher’s belief, a fluent Japanese speaker. His accolades are many but he was particularly proud of being nominated for the Pushcart Prize, winning a Moth “Storyslam,” and completing his forthcoming co-edited book “Ernest Hemingway and the American West.”

Doug’s passion and determination for life was evident up until his death. After he was diagnosed with colon cancer in February of 2024, he was relentless in living a life tied to his values - and boy did he do it. He and Kim were able to travel nearly once every month and made it a point to see as much of the world as they could. While delightfully cantankerous, Doug found optimism in his diagnosis and held the mentality of “well, I’m not dying today.” He was indeed in “no special hurry.”

Doug leaves behind a loving wife (Kim Mauller), parents (Dan and Brenda Sheldon, Jan Mauller), sisters (Amy Cajacob, Tracy Sheldon, Libby Mauller), brother (Jeff Sheldon), niece (Riley CaJacob), nephews (Brett Scherzer, Anthony Mauller, Xander Mauller), dog (Chloe) and countless friends he called family.

Doug was preceded in death by Sherwood Anderson, Ernest Hemingway and Toni Morrison.

In lieu of flowers Doug would like you to:

1. Go read a book

2. Get your colon checked

If you feel so inclined please give to one of his favorite cancer charities in his honor:

• St Judes Children’s Research Hospital https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=9301703&fr_id=162728&pg=personal

• Gilda’s Club of Chicago https://www.gildasclubchicago.org/ways-to-give/donate/

A celebration of life is tentatively planned for September, with details to follow.