Paul H. Walgren

Paul H. Walgren, 80, of Guilford, died on Sunday, (August 4, 2002) of pancreatic cancer. He was the husband of Sandra Clark Walgren, and son of the late Paul S. and Audrey Monroe Walgren of West Hartford. He grew up in West Hartford and attended the University of Vermont, before serving as an infantry officer in World War II. During his service, he received the Purple Heart medal with oak leaf cluster. After graduating from Ohio State University, he joined his father in the tree business, purchasing a small company in the New Haven area. In 1955, they joined forces and became Walgren Tree Experts, Inc. During his career as an arborist, he served as president of the Connecticut Tree Protective Assoc., president of the New England Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture and president of the National Arborist Assoc. He was also a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists and The Elm Research Institute. In 1995, he retired and sold his business to The Care of Trees, headquartered in the Chicago area. He has been a consultant to the Proprietors of the New Haven Green and the New Haven Garden Club in their efforts to restore and maintain the elm trees on the New Haven Green. He was most proud of his 48 years as arborist to Yale University. Before moving to Guilford in 1996, he lived in Bethany for ten years and Woodbridge for 32 years. While in Bethany, he served on and was chairman of the Board of Finance. In Woodbridge he was on the original Inland Wetlands Commission and the Alice Newton Street Park Board. He was a 47-year member of the Hamden Rotary Club and also belonged to the Woodbridge Club, Racebrook Country Club and was a summer resident of Leete's Island. Guilford. He was a passionate skier and spent winter weekends in Ludlow, VT for over 30 years He is survived by his wife of 50 years and three daughters, Andrea Walgren Galligan of So. Hamilton, MA, Meredith Walgren English of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Karin Walgren Meoli of Northford; as well as grandsons, Jonathan and Andrew Meoli; and granddaughters, Christina Aubrey and Alexandra Jeanne English. His brother, Bruce M. Walgren of West Hartford survives him. He was predeceased by his sister, Margery Walgren Eblen of West Hartford. Elm trees have recently been planted on the New Haven Green, at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, and at the Pepsico-Kendall Sculpture Gardens at Purchase, NY, to honor his life's work. A memorial service will be held at the First Church of Christ, Woodbridge, Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may e made to The National Arborist Association, 3 Perimeter Rd., Manchester, NH 03103, the Proprietors of the New Haven Green, for tree care, c/o the New Haven Foundation, 70 Audubon St., New Haven 06510; or to the Ct. Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, 06405. Arrangements are with the Hawley Lincoln Memorial, 1315 Boston Post Rd., Guilford.