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
Ted E Innes, IL Air Guard says:
February 15, 2017
I”m just one more of his pilots.. I really respected him. I will also always remember him telling me I would use the breaks a lot less if I were buying the tires and breaks. He was a great pilot , Doctor, Friend and he will be missed.
Dan Harrod says:
February 16, 2017
We pilots know Ted meant “brakes” and Ted’s comments are just another endorsement of the love we all had for our beloved Doc Walgren.
Kim Marzullo says:
February 16, 2017
Thank you, Ted.
Warren Smith MD says:
February 17, 2017
I worked with Hal during his three years at Boulder City Hospital. He was a real mentor to me and a powerful guiding force for our entire medical staff. I was sad when he moved but he pushed me to become an aviation medical examiner which opened up a new world of medicine for me. He even left me his old Titmus eye tester to help me get started. He was just a little bigger than the rest of us and I always smile when I think of him! Thanks to his family for sharing.
Kim Marzullo says:
March 6, 2017
Thank you so much, Warren. I’m sure he was thrilled you joined the ranks of medical examiners for the FAA.
Jeff Panhans says:
February 26, 2017
I have been known Dr. Walgren for over 15 years and have gotten to know him over the years while getting my medical. I will miss him and our chats about aviation during medical examines. I am lucky to have gotten to talk to such a smart and brilliant man. It’s been an honor Dr. Walgren…
Kim Marzullo says:
March 6, 2017
Thank you, Jeff.
Jeff Panhans says:
February 26, 2017
I have known Dr. Walgren for over 15 years and have gotten to know him over the years while getting my medical. I will miss him and our chats about aviation during medical examines. I am lucky to have gotten to talk to such a smart and brilliant man. It’s been an honor Dr. Walgren…
Denny Granquist, USAF/SWA Retired says:
March 6, 2017
I was out of town when Doc passed but was able to phone him in San Diego before he returned. I met Doc at Luke AFB when he got assigned to fly with the 555TFS in 1989. I gave him numerous back seat rides when his schedule allowed him to fly the F15. He gave me my first 1st Class Medical for the airlines in 1992 and every other one up untill January 2015 almost 50 physicals. I looked forward to every visit. I enjoyed the Boxers meeting me at the door. Leanne being so nice while I waited my turn. Doc and I would catch up on buddies and things he had been doing in between visits. He always made time to get me in for the visit. I have been blessed to have such a caring Doc to be there to keep me flying for Southwest Airlines. My best memories will be from my retirement party from SWA. He came in a USAF flight suit as requested and sat with 5 or 6 other fighter pilot buddies. He was smiling every time I checked on him. He truly had a great time and told me so when he left. Doc here’s to you! May God bless you and your family. You deserve your just reward!!
Kim Marzullo says:
March 7, 2017
Thank you, Denny. I know your phone call meant a lot to Dad and the years of service to all of you pilots brought so much joy to him. He was seeing pilots just days before we brought him and Mom out to San Diego. That’s how much you all mean to him.
Thanks for the back seat rides too……he was always thrilled by them.