Rudolph Gasperich

Rudolph Gasperich 97, of Broadview, IL passed away at home with his family Thursday, April 10, 2014. He was born March 16, 1917 in Calumet, MI., son of the late John & Barbara (Medvit) Gasperich. He was raised in Manistique, Thompson & Kipling, MI. He moved to Chicago, IL in 1938. As an artist, he worked for Chicago Showprint Co. from 1938-1941. He was a WWII B-26 Bomber Pilot, serving in the Army Air Corps (17th Bomb. Group, 95th Bomb Squadron), participating in 31 missions in North Africa & Europe. He worked 40 years as a lithographer at Globe Poster Inc. Flying airplanes & gliders was his passion. He bought his first airplane (PT-19) in 1950 & was co-owner of 7 other airplanes & several gliders & tow planes. He was a member of the following: MTO (North Africa), Civil Air Patrol (Safety Officer Capt.), Falconaires Flight Club (Secr.), Sky Soaring Inc. (founding member), Schaumburg Pilots Assoc., AOPA (Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assoc.), OX5 Aviation Pioneers, Cross & Cockade, EAA (Experimental Aircraft Assoc.) Chapter 101, Ninth Air Force Assoc. Inc., Airplane Buffs Society, Silver Wings Fraternity, DC4 Graphic Communications Conference Teamsters, Chicago Moose Lodge (1940 softball champs), president of Broadview Homeowners’ Assoc.. He loved music & took accordion lessons. He enjoyed working on cars, restoring planes, woodworking, painting & playing cards. He was a member of Christ Presbyterian Church in N. Riverside, IL. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Arlene; 3 daughters, Lynn (Frank), Lori & Lisa; granddaughter, Lauren; sister-in-law, Grace Gasperich & many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by five brothers: John, Joseph, Louis, Steve & Matthew (Grace) Gasperich; & six sisters: Frances Coleman, Angela Gasperich, Anna Suljic, Mary Trygg, Christine Spencer & Florence Rivers. Visitation will be held Monday 2 to 8 PM at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 W. Cermak Rd., Forest Park, IL. Funeral services Tuesday 11 AM at the funeral home. Interment Woodlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, make donations to Christ PresbyterianChurch, North Riverside, IL or American Cancer Society. Info. 708 442-8500. To leave a note of sympathy go to www.woodlawnchicago.com.