Waukegan businessman dies at 76

Eric B. Christenson was remembered as a generous man who was good company at Glen Flora Country Club in Waukegan, where he was a longtime member.

Mr. Christenson, 76, of Grayslake, died Feb. 26 after battling cancer. He owned Eric Christenson Concrete and Excavating from 1957 until he retired in 1997.

Mr. Christensen was active beyond his company. He was on the Teamsters Local 301 health and welfare board for many years, as well as a Lake County Home Builders Association member.

Away from his job, Mr. Christensen was an avid golfer and a Glen Flora member. He also belonged to La Playa Beach & Golf Resort in Naples, Fla.

Some Glen Flora members recalled this week how Mr. Christenson did whatever he could to assist the club. At times, that entailed donating concrete and labor from his business for projects.

"Eric was a humble man," said Glen Flora member Robert Coop, who knew Mr. Christenson for 20 years. "He would give anyone the time of day. He would give anybody help."

Jim Couvall went back 30 years with Mr. Christenson at Glen Flora. He said his pal was among the dwindling numbers of members with Waukegan roots.

"Fun on the golf course," Couvall said, recalling Mr. Christenson. "Fun in the bar. Just a happy-go-lucky guy."

Couvall also remembered how there was good-natured bantering during football season with Christenson, who was a Green Bay Packers fan.

Services have been held.

Survivors include Mr. Christenson's wife of 54 years, Beverly, three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Coop said Mr. Christenson enjoyed his family as much as his other pursuits.

"I don't know anybody up here (at Glen Flora) who didn't like Eric," Coop said.