Fred Berghorn
Fred H. Berghorn, 96, a life-long resident of Lake Forest, IL, died Jan 18, 2016 at Westmoreland Nursing Home in Lake Forest. Fred was born Nov 4, 1919 at Lake Forest’s Alice Home Hospital and was delivered by Dr. Proxmire, the first regular physician in town. An only child, Fred lived in Market Square with his parents until he was 13 and always referred fondly to the Square as his front yard. He married Madeline Serdar in 1942 and they had 2 children, Paula and Gregory.
In 1937, Fred was part of the 2nd graduating class of Lake Forest HS. During WWII he served 4 years in the Navy and was sent to New Guinea following 2+ years at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. After the war, he finished his Engineering degree at U of I and worked for Abbott Labs for 34 years. He oversaw the design, construction, and startup of many of their pharmaceutical plants around the world, while in their International Division. His business travels gave him an appreciation of the many cultures he encountered and he passed on that sense of wonder to his family.
After retiring from Abbott, Fred traveled extensively, returning many times to his favorite countries in Europe. In addition, he enjoyed donating much of his time and vast knowledge of LF history to the LF/LB Historical Society. He also supported many charitable organizations in Lake Forest, such as the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation, the Lake Forest Open Lands, and the Friends of Lake Forest Library. Fred was predeceased by his wife Madeline in 1993; his father Fred in 1972, who had been a LF chauffeur (1913-1916), LF Police Officer (1916-1927), LF volunteer Firefighter (1919-1923); and his mother Ruth (nee Peterson) in 1998, who had been a seamstress for The LF Sports Shop (1923-1959), now known as The LF Shop.
Fred is survived by his 2 children, Paula L Polito of Lake Forest and Gregory (Kathleen) of Hopkinton, MA; 3 grandchildren: Stacey (Will) Sperow of Chantilly, VA, Sharon Parmele of Fairfax, VA, and Christopher J Polito of Arlington, VA; and 3 great-grandchildren: Rosemary, Tyler, and Gabriel Sperow.
Visitation Friday, Jan. 29 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Wenban Funeral Home, Ltd, 320 E. Vine Ave., Lake Forest, IL.
Funeral Mass 10:00 am Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest. Burial will be private at St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Lake Forest, IL.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA). Info www.wenbanfh.com or 847.234.0022
