Adelore F. Petrie

Adelore (Slim) Petrie, age 96, passed away peacefully at his home in Arlington Heights on March 7, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family. He was a man whose generosity, wisdom, and constant love left a profound and lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him. Born in 1928, he grew up amidst the challenges of the Great Depression in Villa Park, Illinois. Adelore attended York High School before proudly serving his country as a member of the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1948. As an Electronics Technician aboard the Icebreaker Edisto, he played an integral role during the ship’s historic four-month Antarctic voyage in 1947, where he maintained the vital radio and radar equipment.

Adelore earned his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University in 1951. He went on to complete a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University under a Hewlett-Packard (HP) Fellowship in 1952, where he was lucky to work alongside Bill Hewlett.

Throughout his remarkable career, Adelore’s brilliance was consistently evident. He was granted 24 U.S. patents, which included groundbreaking work covering Hi-Fi loudspeakers, transistor and integrated circuit amplifiers at General Electric, integrated circuit tone generators at Hammond Organ, and while at Motorola, he invented the electronic ignition which made distributors obsolete.

Adelore’s life was defined not only by his accomplishments but by his quiet strength, humble nature, and gentle spirit. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who took immense pride and joy in his family. He is survived by the love of his life, Jeanette, a professional ice skater whom he married in 1955. He regarded her as his greatest blessing, and together created a 70 year legacy of love that inspired all who knew them. They raised five children, Matthew (deceased), Deborah Maczka (Jim Maczka), Annette Ademasu (Amha Ademasu – deceased), Michael Petrie (Judy Petrie), and Paula Petrie (Paul Belker). He enjoyed interacting with his children and seven grandchildren, Azzar and Aluna Ademasu, Kay and Jacob Petrie, Adam Belker, and Michael and Adria Maczka.

In the 1960s, they lived in Decatur, Illinois, where he earned his private pilot’s license with Commercial and Instrument ratings, flying his family across the U.S. to visit relatives and explore National Parks. After retiring in 1991, he and Jeanette continued their passion for travel, visiting 72 countries fully becoming “world citizens”. In his spare time, Adelore taught over 375 Driver Safety Courses for AARP and acted in 10 local theater musicals. A pianist since childhood, he continued to share his musical talents with family and the community.

Whether through his love for his family, his dedication to his work, or his lifelong passion for learning, Adelore’s legacy is one of compassion, generosity, and enduring love. His presence will be missed, but his influence will continue to inspire those fortunate enough to have known him.

It was Adelore’s wish that you do not mourn his passing, but celebrate his life, as he fulfilled all of his dreams.

Visitation will be Friday, March 14 from 4-8 p.m. at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois. An additional visitation will be held at Holy Family Catholic Community Parish, 2515 W Palatine Rd, Inverness, IL 60067, on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 9:30 AM until the time of the Funeral Mass 10:30 AM. Interment at St Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/?srsltid=AfmBOooWELWe5KXHBR0ehc1oHrcF0UP8-Wy1KnAosJvGG2ccI_WUSlFn