Richard A. Aaberg Obituary (1927 - 2014)

Richard Ellsworth "Dick" Aaberg, 86, of Normal, died at 6:40 am, Thursday, July 31, 2014 at Heritage Health in Normal.The family will receive friends from 3:00-6:00 p.m., Wednesday, (August 6, 2014) at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington. A private family interment will be held at later date.Out of respect for Dicks wife, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association.Dick was born on September 28, 1927 in Brookings, South Dakota, the son of Casper G. and Berget Mikkelsen Aaberg. He married Donna Marie Palmer on April 25, 1953 in Minneapolis, MN. She survives.He is also survived by three sons, Jeff (Sandy) Aaberg, Jim (Gaye) Aaberg, and John (Delayne) Aaberg, all of Bloomington; seven grandchildren, Erin (Ryan) Bever, Sean, Tyler, Jackson, Grant, Jake and Lauren; three great grandchildren, Caleb, Colton and Cayden Bever; and one brother, Rodney Aaberg of Minneapolis, MN.He was preceded in death by a daughter, Anne M. Aaberg.Dick received an Associate degree in liberal arts (ALA), a Bachelor of Science degree in law (BSL) and a Juris Doctor degree (JD) from the University of Minnesota, while also being a member of the Gamma Eta Gamma Legal Fraternity. Dick served his country in WWII from 1945-1946 as a Petty Officer, third class in the US Navy.Besides being a trial lawyer, licensed in the State of Minnesota, Dick began his career with State Farm in 1952. While with the company, he also served as a municipal court judge from 1962-1964 and became certified to try cases before the US Supreme Court. Through a series of promotions, Dick founded and became the first vice president of the State Farm Fire and Casualty Claims Department. In this role, he was instrumental in developing the first volunteer special disaster operation and the claim litigation counsel. Dick was the first chairman of the Illinois Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention. During this time, he helped make arson a federal crime by testifying before the US Congress. He also taught Arson Investigation at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA.In addition to his many work accomplishments, Dick served on the board at El Paso Golf Club, was a member of Rotary Club, was a Pack Master for the Boy Scouts and was past president of The Fields Homeowners Association.Dick enjoyed collecting stamps. He began collecting them in his childhood and had quite a substantial collection.Some of Dicks fondest memories are the result of the many years spent with family and friends in the Pleasant Hills neighborhood. As a regular at Keps Country Kitchen, he had a sandwich named after him. The R.E.A. is a half pound bologna and cheese sandwich still on the menu today.The family would like to thank Synergy Home Care, Heritage Health in Normal and all the friends at Keps Country Kitchen.