Vernon Hills pioneer dies at 75

Ronald Ahlgrim's name isn't on any building, street or parkway in Vernon Hills, but the mark he left on the town is unmistakable.

The actions Ahlgrim set into motion while serving as village trustee 34 years ago helped shape Vernon Hills into a thriving shopping mecca, say those who were close to him.

Ahlgrim, 75, who lived in Vernon Hills much of his life, died Wednesday at Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. He served as Vernon Hills village trustee from 1969 to 1974.

"He was on the board that had the presence of mind to annex the land that ... (Westfield) Hawthorn shopping center is built on," said Mayor Roger Byrne, who knew Ahlgrim for 23 years. "Obviously, those guys had a lot of vision, wisdom and foresight because it created that whole hub up there for future retail development, which certainly has helped our financial stability over the years and continues. He was a great guy and he served his community well."

A handful of houses and a whole lot of cornfields were all that existed in Vernon Hills when Ahlgrim moved to town two years after it incorporated in 1958.

"I think he was really proud of the fact that they started this little community and it grew into such a powerful village," said Ahlgrim's son, John Ahlgrim, superintendent of Zion Elementary District 6. "I don't think anybody really had an awareness of what it was going to become. How it's turned out has really been amazing."

In his heart, Ahlgrim's fondest memories were of a village in its infancy when there was a true sense of community, John Ahlgrim said.

Ahlgrim helped organize the annual Labor Day picnic on Oakwood Road in the original part of town. It was started in the early 1960s and continued until 1999.

"They used to love that event because it really was kind of an essential focus for a group of really connected individuals," John Ahlgrim said. "It was a great kind of neighborhood picnic. When it went away, there was a big loss. That was just a very memorable part of our growing up, of our summers and experience together."

Ahlgrim was also an original member and usher at St. Mary of Vernon, the first church established in town.

"My father was proud of the growth of St. Mary of Vernon," John Ahlgrim said.

Ahlgrim's involvement in town lasted well beyond his years on the village board, said Barbara Williams, Vernon Hills trustee.

"I think he was totally committed to Vernon Hills," she said. "He was quite instrumental whether upfront or behind the scenes. He cared about the community. He cared about the people in the community."

Ahlgrim retired from the Teletype Corp. in Skokie.

He is survived by his children, Marybeth Tucker, Ronald Ahlgrim, Laura Will, Steve Ahlgrim and John Ahlgrim, and 17 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mary.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Ahlgrim will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today at St. Mary of Vernon Church, 236 Route 45, Indian Creek. Interment will follow in Libertyville's Ascension Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests Masses.