Robert E Ahlgren

Robert E. Ahlgren, 85, of Washington passed away at 10:41am Tuesday January 3, 2012 at his residence with family by his side after a long journey battling Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He was born on December 16, 1926 in Watseka the son of the late William and Anna Pullen Ahlgren. He married his high school sweetheart Betty J. Phipps on January 12, 1947 in Watseka. Surviving are his wife of 64 years and their two children Lynn Powell and Gary (Julie) Ahlgren all of Washington. Also surviving are four grandchildren; Jana (Mike) Chambers, Amber Sweet, Trisha (Josh) Johnson and April Powell as well as 5 great grandchildren all of Washington and one brother Bill (Reta) Ahlgren of Watseka. Two sisters preceded him in death. He served our country in the 101st Airborne Division of the Army during the Japanese occupation following WWII. He was active in the Boy Scouts and served as a member of the Executive Board and Vice President of W. D. Boyce Council. Bob was an avid Cubs fan. He enjoyed golfing and fishing, taking frequent trips to Florida, Minnesota, and Canada. He loved and was devoted to his family. He obtained a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1950 and a M.E.A in Engineering Administration from Bradley University in 1969. Bob retired from CILCO in 1985 as Assistant Vice President of Energy Supply. During his retirement he owned and operated The End of the Line Sandwich Shop and TOYS-n-MORE with his son and daughter, where he enjoyed interactions with customers, trading baseball cards, and the beanie baby craze of 1995. Cremation Rites have been accorded and a memorial service is scheduled for 2pm Friday at Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington with his grandson Mike Chambers officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to his service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in his name for an education fund established at Washington State Bank for his great grandchildren.