William A. Chittenden II

1927 - 2018

William A. Chittenden II, 90, of Oakbrook, Illinois (formerly Elmhurst, Illinois), passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, August 24, 2018. Born on December 7, 1927 to Donald and Lillian Chittenden, he spent his childhood with his late brother Donald in Missouri and Montana until his last year of high school in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania where he graduated in 1945. At 17, Bill enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served two periods of active duty in 1945-46 and 1950-51. While on reserve, Bill graduated from the University of Illinois College of Engineering (B.S. General Engineering '50) where he met the love of his life and best friend, Carol. Bill and Carol married in Chicago in 1952; a loving marriage that spanned the next 66 years. After completing his Marine Corps service, Bill began a 40-year career as a professional engineer devoted to power engineering with Sargent & Lundy in Chicago. At Sargent & Lundy he served in many roles including Manager of the Mechanical Department and Director of Engineering prior to his election as Senior Partner/CEO of the company. During his career, he was at the forefront of nuclear engineering and was instrumental in its development from an experimental engineering challenge to large-scale commercial application. Bill was an active member of the American Nuclear Society, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American National Standards Institute, and the Atomic Industrial Forum and published more than 50 technical papers in power engineering. In 1987, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional honors accorded an engineer. In 2016, he was elected to the University of Illinois College of Engineering Hall of Fame for his "pioneering impact in the technical development of nuclear power and his advocacy for professional development in power engineering." Throughout his career, Bill and Carol lived in Elmhurst where they raised their family. Bill served the Elmhurst community as a founding member and Elder of the Elmhurst Presbyterian Church and as a member of the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. He generously supported the University of Illinois through fellowships, symposiums and scholarship programs in the fields of Engineering and Applied Health Sciences as well as many other charitable organizations. Bill dedicated his life to his loving wife Carol, his children and grandchildren, his profession, and his beloved country. He is survived by his wife Carol L. nee Banks, daughter Susan C. (James) Johnson, son William A. (Jill) Chittenden III, and grandchildren, William A. (Ayumi) Chittenden IV and Kelley Lynn Chittenden. Memorial Services will be held on Friday, September 14, 2018 at 3pm at St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 125 W. Church St., Elmhurst with reception to follow. Private interment with Military Honors at St. Peter's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the University of Illinois Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education, http://giving.illinois.edu/ or the Independence Fund, www.independencefund.org is appreciated. Arrangements by Ahlgrim Funeral Home. Funeral info 630-834-3515 or www.ahlgrim.com.