Gunars Licitis Obituary

Licitis, Gunars Age 82, passed away on Sept. 15, 2011, in Vidrizi, Latvia. Born in Riga, Latvia, his family was painfully divided during WWII. He emigrated to Chicago with his mother and sister after living in a DP camp in Germany for several years. He kept in touch with the Latvian community and in 1953 married Valda Karklins, whom he knew from camp days. They settled in Lombard, IL with their three children. He became an avid private pilot and for 35 years was a partner at Marvin Glass and Assoc., a toy designing firm in Chicago best known for games such as Mouse Trap, Operation, and Simon. After retiring from MGA, Gunars formed his own video business, Varpa, to help document Latvian history and traditions. Sadly, his wife, Valda, passed away and was unable to experience Latvia's independence in 1991. Gunars remarried Vija Melke, from Vidrizi, Latvia in 1995, and in 1998 their daughter Laima was born. They established several businesses back in Latvia, including Vidrizu Atvari, a parquet factory, and Limbazi airport. One of his most daring accomplishments was his solo transcontinental flight in 2001 from Chicago to Latvia in his single engine Piper. Gunars lived his life with passion and integrity. He was truly a generous man who was an inspiration to all who knew him. He is survived by his beloved wife, Vija Melke and daughter, Laima Licitis, of Lombard, IL; Vija's children Janis Melkis and Ieva Melke (Valentine) both of Riga, Latvia; and three children by his predeceased wife, Gunars Licitis (Patricia) of Naperville, IL, Sandra Ritchie (Reginald) of Wheaton, IL, Lauma Griffin (John) of Naperville, IL. He is also survived by his loving sister, Biruta McCranie (William) Atlanta, GA, and 10 grandchildren living throughout the United States. Funeral services were held in Riga. To share condolence messages and for further information about memorial services please go to www.memorialmatters.com.