Terence George ‘Terry’ Craig was born on March 16, 1946 in Harvey, IL, the son of Russell C. Craig and Shirley Potter Craig. He was the oldest of four children and spent his childhood moving frequently with his family as his father was assigned to various places as an officer in the United States Air Force. Terry graduated from high school while living in Japan and attended the University of Arizona for a year before joining the Class of 1969 at West Point.

At West Point, Terry excelled in his academic endeavors. He validated the mathematics requirements for graduation by the end of plebe year, so he was able to begin his elective studies in social sciences a year early, thus beginning his lifelong interest and involvement in public service, politics, and social causes. In addition to academics and an active extracurricular life, Terry developed his great skill and lifelong interest in the card game bridge, playing it at both the recreational and competitive levels. He could be found playing hands of bridge as early as the Fourth Class Bivouac at Lake Frederick and often in bridge tournaments at the West Point Officers Club. As part of his professional development at West Point, he volunteered for additional training during one summer to attend the Jungle Operations Course in Panama. This provided additional motivation to become the infantryman that he became upon graduation.

After graduation, Terry married Susan Lyons and, after a short stay at Fort Bragg, NC, he served with the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry of the Americal (23rd Infantry) Division in Vietnam. Upon returning to the United States, he was assigned to Fort Bliss, TX. During their stay in Texas, Terry and Susan had their first daughter, Debbie, in 1972. After an assignment at Fort Benning, GA, Terry resigned from the Army and moved to Berkeley, CA, where he earned his master’s degree in public policy in 1978 and his law degree in 1979. After graduating from UC Berkeley, Terry and Susan moved to Maryland where he began working as a pension fund attorney. While living and working in Maryland, Terry and Susan had their second daughter, Sarah, in 1980.

After leaving the Army, Terry’s professional life was devoted to the practice of pension fund law. In 1979, he began working for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), where he established his reputation as an invaluable resource for the practice and litigation of pension fund law. He became a chapter editor of the Employment Benefits Law Handbook published by the American Bar Association (ABA) and was a member of the Employee Benefits Committee of the Labor Section of the ABA and the co-chairman of two of its subcommittees. In 1987, he moved to Illinois to begin working for the Central States Southeast and Southwest Areas Health and Welfare and Pension Funds to run their multiemployer withdrawal liability collection program. Through his efforts, Central States established many court precedents that remain the law today. In 1997, Terry moved to Annandale, VA, where he went to work for the Sheet Metal Workers National Pension Fund. He moved on to a law firm a few years later where he continued the practice of pension fund law until he retired in 2003. Throughout his career he was noted as a valuable resource and mentor for the attorneys that he worked with as well as being a favored speaker at many ABA National Institute meetings. He also continued to serve in the Army Reserve until his retirement as a lieutenant colonel in 1997. In the USAR, he served as a Professor and Deputy Chief of the Admin and Civil Law Division at the University of Virginia JAG School for 15 years. He was awarded the Legion of Merit medal upon retirement.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Terry was very active in a variety of civic organizations, which included being Chairman of the Northwest Suburban Group of the Sierra Club in Des Plaines, IL, a member of the Hoffman Estates Illinois Recycling Commission and Chairman of the Hoffman Estates Environmental Commission.

Terry had many hobbies, including bird watching, photography, piano, opera, reading, and traveling to Kauai. His love of Kauai began during his first vacation there in 1989. He loved it so much that he bought property on the island at Kiahuna Plantation, a place where he and his family would visit often. He found new hobbies there, including snorkeling, kayaking, whale watching, and hiking.       

Terry became president of the Kiahuna home owners association in 1993. He also traveled to Europe, England, Italy, and Australia for both business and pleasure. Upon retirement, Terry moved to his home in Kauai, where he lived until 2006. He cherished the quiet, peaceful atmosphere and enjoyed relaxing walks along the beach. His children and grandchildren vacationed there with him before he moved to California in 2006. He last resided in Laguna Woods, CA, where he filled his days with reading, playing bridge, and political debate. He died on October 5, 2007 in Laguna Woods after a long illness and was inurned at Arlington National Cemetery on March 19, 2008. Terry was a dear friend to those of us who had the privilege of living and working with him throughout his life. He always made us feel welcome in his life. Even to the point of inviting several of us, as we were passing through Minnesota during graduation leave, to visit him and Susan at the cottage where they were spending part of their honeymoon. He was taken from us much too soon.