Bjorn Ahlin

Bjorn "John"

Ahlin

Asheville - Bjorn Ahlin, 93, of Crowfield Lane Asheville, passed away on Thursday, January 31st at the John F. Keever Solace Center. He was born on November 18, 1919 in Fort Wentworth, Georgia to the late Wanda Nordstrom and Johan Adolf Ahlin.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 68 years Delores "Micki" Meyer Ahlin, his daughter Karen Ahlin Kimsey, grandson Clay Bjorn Kimsey, son-in law James Robert Kimsey, and cousins Per, Susi, Kersti, Jan, and Rebecca Gloersen of Sweden.

Bjorn grew up in Canton NC. He received a B.S. Degree in chemistry at Wofford College before entering the army as a cadet in 1941. He received his wings at Mather Field, Calif on May 23, 1942. He flew as a navigator for 50 missions before returning to the states. Most of his military career was spent in North Africa and Italy. He received two Purple Hearts, the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, and numerous other medals.

After his military career of 5 years in the Army Air Corp, he graduated from University of South Carolina with a BS degree in Pharmacy. Loving history and being a "Renaissance" man, he later received a Master degree in History from Western Carolina University.

After finishing his pharmacy degree he, Micki, and Karen moved to Sylva, NC where he owed Professional Pharmacy for 32 years. He served on the Sylva City Council for 28 years, was a member of the Library Board, Police Commissioner, and also a member of the Town and College Club. He was an avid writer and has written an extensive autobiography and a military poem about a day in the life of a WW II 301st Bomb Group that can be found in the Air Force archives. He collaborated with a professor from Radford University on a World War II textbook using his extensive knowledge of aviation tactics, the North African Order of Battle, and the role of US aviation in the battle for North Africa. He contributed his personal memories and analysis of the air support phase for the Battle of the Kasserine Pass, the first major clash of American forces against German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel and his Afrika Korps.

He was a brilliant, witty, loving person, and always had a joke to tell, and will be missed by his family and friends.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the nurses, staff, and Doctors at the John F. Keever Solace Center. They not only cared for Bjorn but also extended their loving care to the family.

A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at Cavalry Episcopal Church in Fletcher, NC with Father Victor Mansfield officiating. A reception at the church will follow the memorial service where family will receive friends.

A Private Military interment will be at Cavalry Churchyard following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to John F. Keever Solace Center, 21 Belvedere Road, Asheville, NC 28803.

An online memorial register is available at grocefuneralhome.com