Alex Steenrod of Freeport died early Thursday morning at Parkview Home following a brief illness. Alexander Hewetson Steenrod Jr. was born in Freeport on May 8, 1919 to Alexander Hewetson Steenrod Sr. and Dorothy Hettinger Steenrod. He was preceded in death by his spouse of nearly 62 years, Betty Jean Nelson Steenrod, who passed away in April 2008. He is survived by; his sister, Bettina (Peter) Holm of Freeport and four children: Steven A. Steenrod of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Terence (Linda) Steenrod and David (Elly) Steenrod, both of Freeport; and Laurie Steenrod of Aurora, Colorado. Grandchildren include; Todd Steenrod and Jessica Steenrod of Albuquerque, Barett Steenrod of Minneapolis, Ryan Steenrod of Chicago, Andrew (Kelli) Steenrod of Racine, Wisconsin, Christopher Steenrod and Daniel Steenrod of Freeport. Alex attended Freeport Public Schools and graduated from FHS with the class of 1937. He then attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana where he studied mechanical engineering. During WWII, he joined Pan American World Airways as a Flight Navigator when Pan Am provided aircraft and crews to serve the United States Navy. Based out of San Francisco, California, Alex flew between that west coast and Honolulu, as well as other locations throughout the Western Pacific. Alex returned to Freeport following the war, married Betty Jean and began to raise their family. He worked as a design engineer for the Woodmanse Manufacturing Company, a family-owned business. When that business was sold, he worked for the Western Newell Company of Freeport as a design engineer. Years later, Alex and lifelong friend Peter Holm, became owner operators of two automatic carwashes, one in Freeport and Dixon, IL. until the mid 1980s when they retired. Apart from his working life, Alex was a golf enthusiast and founding member of the Freeport Country Club. He served on FCC’S Board of Directors as well as with the local YMCA, the Parkview Home, Kings Daughters Childrens Home, Freeport water and Sewer Commission and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He maintained a life-long interest in aviation, and was a member of the Freeport Pilots Association at the Albertus Airport. Alex harbored a keen interest with all things mechanical, and derived much pleasure from building or repairing things for people in his garage workshop. A Celebration of Life gathering will be Friday between 3:00 and 5:00 P.M. at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport, followed by a short remembrance service. Entombment will be alongside Betty Jean at the Oakland Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be given to the Parkview Home. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign his online guestbook and to share memories.
Cremation rites have been accorded.