Alfred “Fred” John Price, 94, of Lake Forest, died Friday, May 18, 2018, at JourneyCare Hospice in Woodstock, IL. He was born March 10, 1924, in Streator, IL, to Fred and Mary Price. He married the love of his life, Mary Lou Hamann, on June 7, 1947, who was by his side at the time of his passing.
Fred served as superintendent of Avoca Elementary School District 37 in Wilmette for 18 years. Following his retirement from Avoca, he shared his love and knowledge of the education field by serving as an adjunct professor at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago for nine years. Previously, he was an assistant superintendent of Elementary School District 41 in Glen Ellyn for 13 years, and a teacher and superintendent for Community Unit District 250 in Ontarioville, IL, for six years.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Wesleyan University in 1949, a master’s of science in education from Illinois State University in 1953 and a doctorate in education from Northwestern University in 1961. Fred served his country honorably in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1943-1945. He entered the service as a musician and was stationed at the Steven’s Hotel, now the Hilton, in Chicago as one of Glenn Miller’s AAF bands.
He later served as a radio operator/gunner on a B-17 crew. He flew 34 missions with the 8th Air Force while stationed in England during World War II. He was awarded the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the European Theatre Ribbon with four bronze stars.
He was past president of the Illinois Association of School Business Officials and past president of Superintendent’s Round Table of Northern Illinois. He was passionate about his involvement in Rotary Club and served as past presidents of the Rotary Club of Glen Ellyn and Rotary Club of Wilmette. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marion Hook.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary Lou, and his children: Greg, Highland Park; Patti (Ken) West, Woodstock; Brad (Pam) Price, Cedarburg, Wis. ; and Geoff (Stephanie) Price, Crystal Lake. He leaves behind eight grandchildren: Justin (Brittany) and Alex West; Amy Ann (AJ) Burton; Heather (Andrew) Erickson; and Jeremy, Trevor, Colin and Benjamin Price; and two great-grandchildren, Bodhi Burton and Grayson West.
A memorial service celebrating Fred’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, 700 North Sheridan Road, Lake Forest. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rotary Club of Wilmette, the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest or a charity of one’s choice.
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