1925
Alan
2011
Alan Greenwood
August 29, 1925 — July 3, 2011
Alan Greenwood, 85, of Kent, beloved father and grandfather, died Sunday July 3, 2011 at 11:10am in St. Charles, Illinois with his daughter Lynette by his side. He succumbed after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
Alan was born August 29, 1925, in Lancashire England to Jesse and Ethel (Hindle) Greenwood. His early academic prowess won him admission to the prestigious Baines School, founded in 1717, where he excelled in French, mathematics, and art/penmanship. His skills in calligraphy were such that he was asked to illustrate the large central bible at his church. After completing high school at age 16, he was still too young to join the regular forces so he signed on with Britain's Home Guard, as a machine gunner. When WWII came to an end, Alan resumed his studies and earned the British equivalent of a Master's degree in mechanical engineering. While working on the fuel system of England's first jet bomber he came across a recruitment article asking British engineers to come to America and join the "space race". He planned to work for one year then go back to England, but ended up staying forever. He married Joyce in 1951 and came to Kent in 1956, joined by Joyce and baby son, Gareth, in 1957. His daughter, Lynette, was born five years later, becoming the first American in the family. Alan worked first for Davey Compressor in Kent, then Goodyear in Akron, retiring in 1991. He maintained his farm and cared for his horses until age and illness set in. He was also very proud of the accomplishments of his grandson Peter, pre-med at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and grandson Ethan, physics major at the University of Chicago.
He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Lynette D. Greenwood; son-in-law, Dr. Don F. DeJongh; and grandsons, Peter Cornelis and Ethan Alan DeJongh, all of Batavia, IL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, in 2009; and son, Gareth John Nolan Greenwood in 1981.
Private graveside services were held on Saturday July 9th at Standing Rock Cemetery. Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory handled the arrangements. Memorial contributions can be made to the Animal Protective League of Portage County, or New Vocations Racehorse Rescue, at www.horseadoption.com.
Alan was born August 29, 1925, in Lancashire England to Jesse and Ethel (Hindle) Greenwood. His early academic prowess won him admission to the prestigious Baines School, founded in 1717, where he excelled in French, mathematics, and art/penmanship. His skills in calligraphy were such that he was asked to illustrate the large central bible at his church. After completing high school at age 16, he was still too young to join the regular forces so he signed on with Britain's Home Guard, as a machine gunner. When WWII came to an end, Alan resumed his studies and earned the British equivalent of a Master's degree in mechanical engineering. While working on the fuel system of England's first jet bomber he came across a recruitment article asking British engineers to come to America and join the "space race". He planned to work for one year then go back to England, but ended up staying forever. He married Joyce in 1951 and came to Kent in 1956, joined by Joyce and baby son, Gareth, in 1957. His daughter, Lynette, was born five years later, becoming the first American in the family. Alan worked first for Davey Compressor in Kent, then Goodyear in Akron, retiring in 1991. He maintained his farm and cared for his horses until age and illness set in. He was also very proud of the accomplishments of his grandson Peter, pre-med at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and grandson Ethan, physics major at the University of Chicago.
He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Lynette D. Greenwood; son-in-law, Dr. Don F. DeJongh; and grandsons, Peter Cornelis and Ethan Alan DeJongh, all of Batavia, IL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, in 2009; and son, Gareth John Nolan Greenwood in 1981.
Private graveside services were held on Saturday July 9th at Standing Rock Cemetery. Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory handled the arrangements. Memorial contributions can be made to the Animal Protective League of Portage County, or New Vocations Racehorse Rescue, at www.horseadoption.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alan Greenwood, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors