Senior activist, volunteer dies at 100

Arlington Heights officials are mourning the loss of Kenneth Hood, a longtime volunteer and community leader who actively worked to promote the interests of seniors.

Hood died Saturday. The 55-year Arlington Heights resident was 100.

"He was a consummate volunteer, one who was always willing to help," said Arlington Heights Village President Arlene Mulder. "He was my idol."

Evidence of his commitment to seniors and volunteerism can be found in his 25-year involvement with the Arlington Heights Senior Center Foundation. The foundation is the driving force behind enhancements for the bustling center.

Hood tendered his resignation as its chairman only two years ago, at the age of 98, but he retained his membership.

"He had been involved in the senior center from the beginning, serving on the Arlington Heights Senior Citizen Commission whose members helped to design the center," said Karen Hanson, executive director.

Hood also served on the advisory council to the Arlington Heights Senior Citizen Center as it developed its services.

"He was a very skillful leader when I worked with him on the commission," Hanson said. "He was the kind of man that led by example and mentored a lot of people simply because they saw the kind of person he was."

Hanson added that senior center officials already are thinking of ways to honor his memory at the facility. His portrait hangs in the foundation office, but they are seeking something more active, she said.

Hood began to volunteer after he had retired from a prolific career that included teaching agriculture economics at the universities where he had attended, Cornell and then Penn State, before he joined the American Farm Bureau Federation as an economist and marketing specialist.

In recent years, he had been recognized for his commitment to the village. In 2002, he won the Young at Heart award at the Arlington Heights Hearts of Gold dinner, and one year ago Mulder tapped him as guest of honor at the village's tree-lighting ceremony.

Family and friends gathered for his 100th birthday in July, during which he shared with them his latest project: writing a book about his wife of nearly 65 years, Lois, who succumbed to Alzheimer's disease in 2005.

Funeral services will begin with visitation at 10 a.m. Dec. 29 before an 11 a.m. funeral at Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights.