Alan Berggren

1937 - 2026

Al Berggren of Oak Park, Illinois passed away on January 26, 2026 at the age of 88 surrounded by his loving family. Beloved, fun-loving husband for 67 years to Jean (nee’ Scheldrup) Berggren; devoted Father of Michael, Robert, Steven (Laurie Broderick), Patrick (Kristin Kramer) and the late Timothy. Loving son of the late Walter and Mildred Berggren; kind loving grandfather of Steven and Laurie’s children Alan, Jennifer and Angela; and Patrick and Kristin’s Children Sarah (Colby) Hollins, James, Alexander, and Step-Granddaughter Lauren (Michael Dixon) and Great grandson Kane Dixon.

Al was born in 1937 in Oak Forest, Illinois as the only surviving child to Walter & Mildred Berggren (older sister Barbara died as a newborn). They lived in a house his father and grandfather built; Al’s formative years were spent there. Since his birthday was late in December the grade school accepted him early as the youngest kid in his class. A few years later his 4th grade class shared the room with 5th grade. Since Al completed all the work for both grades they moved him up. Soon after his family moved to Hinsdale where he eventually went to Hinsdale (Central). At the young age of 16 Al graduated from High School. He worked as a golf caddy, delivered groceries and enjoyed playing golf and tennis throughout school-age years. He and his Mom were avid fans of the Chicago Cubs.

After graduating from Hinsdale Central HS he attended the University of Illinois in Champaign. Al worked his way through college to graduate with a Civil Engineering Degree at age 20. In November of that year he and Jean were married and moved to Cincinnati for work at an Engineering Firm. After a couple years Al was offered an Engineering job within the Real Estate Department at the New York Central Rail Road, that’s where he fell in love with Real Estate. Within years he was working at a downtown Chicago Real Estate firm, quickly moving up through the ranks. Finding it difficult to locate functional space for clients or operate Industrial facilities within the inner-city Al brought his boss plans to develop Industrial and warehouse space in the suburbs near transportation hubs. When the owners refused to work outside the City Al turned in his resignation and started the Berggren Realty Corporation, and soon after the Berggren Development Corporation. Brokerage was a necessary part of business but developing Industrial Parks, Office buildings, and Shopping Centers became his passion. Early on, Al led the way to developing in the Suburbs and many firms quickly followed.

Some of Al's award-winning developments included the Hinsdale Industrial Park, Oak Grove Center of Commerce, Batavia Industrial Park, and much of the Office, Retail, and Restaurant developments on the east side of Butterfield and Finley in Downers Grove. On a State wide and National Scale Al was Past President or on the Board of AIREB, IDRC, COLBA, SIOR, etc. Al Chaired the Ethics Committee for many organizations and drafted National Guidelines for Brokerage and Ethics still in use today. In Oak Park, with the help of many Community minded leaders, Al was instrumental in the reopening and continued success of the Tennis and Fitness Centre of Oak Park - River Forest. As it's General Partner his guidance and attention to detail helped leave a wonderful asset open to the community for 42+ years.

Family and friends will be received at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W Cermak Rd., Westchester (2 Blks West of Mannheim Rd.) on Wednesday Feb. 4th from 3 to 8PM with a Rosary Service being held at 7PM. All to meet Thursday, Feb. 5th at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1530 Jackson Ave., River Forest for a Visitation from 9:00 a.m. until time of the Funeral Mass at 10am. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Mercy Home for Children would be appreciated.