Dr. Harold N. Walgren
Passed: February 05, 2017
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Dr. Harold N. Walgren
Passed: February 05, 2017
Obituary
Dr. Harold N. Walgren M.D., J.D., LLM was born in Belvidere, Illinois to Dr. Roy and Stella Walgren on March 27, 1935. He passed away February 5, 2017. He is survived by his wife Leanne, who he met while in high school and later attended the University of Colorado in Boulder together. He went on to medical school at the University of Illinois-Chicago. They married in 1958, and upon completion of medical school moved from the medical center in Chicago to Hinsdale, Illinois where they lived for 25 years, working and raising their family of three sons and a daughter, all of whom attended and graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder. In 1985 they moved to Boulder City, Nevada and subsequently settled in Litchfield Park in 1988.
Dr. Walgren’s academic degrees include a BS (Med) and M.D. from the University of Illinois, as well as a J.D. and LLM from John Marshall Law School of Chicago. He was Board Certified by the American Board of Radiology and the American Board of Legal Medicine. Dr. Walgren was a member of the Illinois Bar and licensed in Medicine in Illinois, Nevada and Arizona. Numerous professional memberships were held including the AMA and the ABA. He was a Fellow of the American College of Legal Medicine, a Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association, past president of the Civil Aviation Medical Association, past president of the DuPage County, IL Medical Association, and a past Trustee of the Flying Physicians Association. He was an active Rotarian, a past president of the Estrella Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow and devoted to the Rotary Foundation.
Dr. Walgren’s military career consisted of over 33 years as a commissioned officer with the USAF, serving with the Illinois Air National Guard and on Active Duty at Luke AFB, retiring in 1995 with the rank of Colonel. His rating was Chief Flight Surgeon having completed 2262 hours of military flight time.
Dr. Walgren was a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner for the FAA and a private pilot with commercial license, instrument, multi-engine, and seaplane ratings. His private flying time totals were over 3500 hours.
Hal Walgren lived a life devoted to his wife, his family, his church, his practice and the community and nation he loved. He was a firm believer in life-long learning, higher education and the pursuit of excellence. He enjoyed target shooting, hunting, fishing, ham radio, flying and especially being a doctor to the pilots he so respected. He will be sorely missed and treasured in spirit. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert, Kenneth and Alan; and grandson Corey Walgren. He is survived by his wife, Leanne; daughter, Kimberly Marzullo (Bob); sons, Scott (Chris), Doug (Maureen), and Brad (Victoria) Walgren; and seven grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 am, Friday, February 10, 2017 at The Church of Litchfield Park. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Rotary Foundation, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201-3698 or The Church at Litchfield Park, 300 N. Old Litchfield Rd, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340.
51 responses to Dr. Harold N. Walgren
Harley Thornton says:
February 10, 2017
Dr. Walgren…Hal…was truly one of the most extraordinary men I’ve ever known. I was privileged to fly with him for many years with the Peoria Air Guard. In fact, he was with me when we had to divert our A-37’s to Grissom AFB in Kokomo, Indiana, to wait until this huge weather season would let us return to Peoria. We studied the maps at the Grissom weather station very carefully before flying back…and we still flew through icing the likes of which I had never experienced in an A-37. Upon our safe arrival back in Peoria, I had another flight before I was finished…flying a Cessna 172 back to Des Moines where I lived and currently live. That flight didn’t end as well as it could. The same big weather system brought me down in a snow-covered plowed field surrounded by timber…with less than a 200 ft. ceiling. The Holy Spirit is a lot better pilot than I am…so I survived with minimal damage to the plane…and lived to raise my beautiful daughters, 4 and 19 days old at the time. I will pray for all of you in Hal’s family. We have all been blessed by having him in our lives!
Kim Marzullo says:
February 15, 2017
Thank you, Harley. We appreciate you sharing flying stories with us.
Linda Dahl says:
February 10, 2017
So very sorry to hear of Doc’s passing. Always a kind, considerate, and caring man. As a young airman in Squadron Ops and though not an aircrew member, he was always quick to offer advice, counsel, and laughter to my day. Always a pleasure to see him come walking in and listen to his many stories around the flight planning table. Such charisma. My prayers are with his loved ones.
Kim Marzullo says:
February 15, 2017
Thank you for your service, Linda, and your kind words.
Timm Gilmore says:
February 10, 2017
GREATER THAN LIFE INDIVIDUAL.In the ANG at Peoria I Always felt he was on the pilots side. He loved flying and seemed to respect us , even with our quirks. Well, right back at you DOC. It was a pleasure and honor to have known you and shared that bond of flying with you. God Bless.
Kim Marzullo says:
February 15, 2017
The pleasure and honor was truly his, Timm. Thank you for your kind words.
Eldridge Johnson Jr says:
February 12, 2017
He was a friendly face, a kind word, a professional, a leader and part of our Guard
family. Most of all he was just a great guy.
May God comfort you in this time of loss.
Kim Marzullo says:
February 15, 2017
Thank you very much, Eldridge.
Larry Warren, MGen (Ret), USAF says:
February 13, 2017
I have just returned home from 10 days being away and out of touch, so I’m late learning of the loss of Doc Walgren. I join my pilot and non-pilot friends in expressing our feelings of admiration for a man, a mentor, and leader that we all looked up to. Doc provided a major and positive influence on all of us going far above and beyond just looking after us medically, which he did; but also in every aspect of our flight operations and lives. Even now, some 20+ years after I last saw him, great memories of Doc are coming to mind. He was a major contributor to the many successes and honors garnered by the 182 TASGp and the Illinois Air National Guard. May God bless the Walgren family at this time of loss.
Kim Marzullo says:
February 15, 2017
Thank you very much for your kind words, Larry. I know Dad was honored and privileged to serve with you all.
Harley Thornton says:
February 20, 2017
Very well said, Larry!