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Charles Rudolph Walgreen Jr.
Charles Rudolph Walgreen Jr.
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Charles Walgreen Obituary
CHICAGO - Charles Rudolph Walgreen Jr., son of the founder of Walgreens and former CEO of the drugstore chain, died in his sleep Saturday night at his home in Northfield, Ill. He was 100 years old.
From the time he was a little boy, Walgreen worked in his family's drugstore, starting his career as a stock boy and eventually becoming a pharmacist. He took over the drugstore chain in 1939 after his father passed away and led the company for nearly three decades.
''He loved to tell such wonderful stories of those first Walgreens stores, with the gas lighting instead of electricity and the old soda fountains,'' said his grandson Les Walgreen. ''It was such a huge and important part of his life.''
The first Walgreen store opened on Chicago's South Side in 1901. Twenty years later, there were more than 500 Walgreens stores across the nation, and the company was becoming the nation's most prominent drug store. The chain became known for the creation of the malted milkshake, when a soda jerk added ice cream to the old soda concoction.
When Walgreen took over the company, a new wave of ''self service'' retail began sweeping the country. Walgreen led the company through the conversion, which, according to his grandson, saw the number of store openings stagnate for a while.
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L A D (and family)
December 29, 2007
Jim, Cork, and Les, our thoughts and prayers are with you, especially this coming February. The longer you know someone, the more you love them, so this must have been a very hard loss for you. Love and hugs to you all.
Kenneth Kresowaty
February 26, 2007
Rest in peace.
Jim Denson
February 23, 2007
Dear Corky: It was a great pleasure knowing your dad when you and I were friends in our early high school years. Many fond memories: at your family's home in Winnetka and their estate in Dixon.
I last spoke with him at a rally for the "Heart of America" entry in the America's Cup defense in 1987.
May God bless him, you, Jimmy, Leslie, and all of your families!
Jim Denson; Gulf Shores, AL
Stacey Walgreen-Magnusson
February 21, 2007
my sympathies go out to Cork, Jimmy and the rest of the family. I am sorry we were not able to attend the wake. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Donna and Stan Walgreen
Stacey Magnusson (Walgreen)
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Thomas Mammoser
February 19, 2007
Cork and Kathy: It was both an honor and a pleasure to know him. He was a wonderful man and made the "Walgreen experience' richer for all who knew him. He will be long remembered.
My sincere condolences,
Tom Mammoser
Flo Smith
February 17, 2007
Mr and Mrs. Walgreen, My sincerest condolendecs on the passing of your father. My father worked for the Walgreen family for 32 years. He worked his way up after WWII from cigar boy to director of physical distrubtion and had all good things to say about the Walgreen family.
Sincerely,
Flo Smith
daughter of Robert G.Smith and Josephine formerly of Lincolnshire,Il
Roberta Steele
February 16, 2007
Dear Cork, We were so very sorry to hear about your dad. Our thoughts are with you, Kathy and the rest of your family.
Dennis + Roberta Steele
Bernie Freeman
February 15, 2007
On behalf of the Presidents Council at the University of Illinois Foundation, I send my personal condolences to Jean and the Walgreen family along with many from the University of Illinois family. Chuck was a special friend of the UI Foundation and this great university. My prayers are with you all.
Donna Dunovsky
February 15, 2007
My most sincere condolences to the family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. With deepest respect from an employee of store #6176-Darien, IL.
Betty P
February 14, 2007
I'd like to send my prayers to the family, and pass along best wishes to all of those who were close to Charles. God Bless.
Pamela E. Johnson
February 14, 2007
To the Walgreem Family,
My sincerest condolence to your family in the passing of Charles R. Walgreen Jr.
As a University of Michigan alumnae, I am proud to know that I graduated from a university with such an accomplished and distinguished individual.
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Kristie Calvino
February 14, 2007
Dear Walgreen Family,
I, as a former Emply. of the Co. would just like to send my Deepest Sympathy to you all.
May God Bless each and everyone of you during this difficult time and always.
Michael & Phyllis DeFrank
February 13, 2007
To The Walgreen Family: Mike and I would like to express our sympathy on the death of Charles R. Walgreen II. We were not close, personal friends of his,but our son, John and his wife, Sandra were caretakers at Hazelwood Farm for twenth years. Our son,had a most unique relationship with "Mr. W' as he called him, especially when he would tell him stories about his early days in Chicago. Unfortunately our son passed away in 2002, but the family did everthing to make our grief bearable. What a gracious and kind family. Again thanks to all , and with great respect......Phyllis & Michael DeFrank Plainfield, IL 60544
carol hayes
February 13, 2007
Dear Corky, Kathy and all of the family. We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr Walgreen. He was a very special man. Our 4 years out at Hazelwood were some of the best years of our lives. We so enjoyed meeting all of the family and spending time with everyone, at such a wonderful place. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.Love to everyone, Jack and Carol Hayes and family. contact me
W. La Bahn
February 13, 2007
Please accept my sincere condolences. I always enjoyed Chuck's company when we saw eachother.
warren hendriks, jr.
February 13, 2007
Jimmy and the Walgreen Family, My deepest sympathy on the loss of your wonderful Dad.He did so much for my Dad and Mom (Maude) particularly in some very difficult times when mom was so ill. You will recall, that "Uncle" Chuck, as he asked me to call him and "Aunt" Sis contributed much to a young man's life with out Mom. While in Vietnam, I treasured his lengthy letters while aboard Sis W and I was in a foxhole. I only regret that the Chicago storm will prevent me from getting out of Boston to personally express my condolences. I will remember him fondly and be so grateful for what I learned from this incredible human being. God Bless, Warren Jr.
Nancy Lelewer Sonnabend
February 13, 2007
My Dad, Joseph Lelewer, and Chuck were close friends at the University of Chicago Lab School during their four years of high school. They lost track of each other after graduation and met up again at their Lab School's 70th reunion. After that they remained in close touch until my Dad's death the end of 2004. In Nov. 2003 when Chuck moored the "Sis W" in Charlestown Harbor Dad, two of my grandchildren and I spent a few hours on his megayacht with Chuck, his wife and grandson. It was the same month the "Sis W" was featured in "Yachts" magazine. I remember Chuck's big smile and how Dad and Chuck played off each other. Both were charismatic and the two together were a riot.
KATHY CASASSA
February 13, 2007
FATE SEEMS TO HAVE BROUGHT DAVID AND YOUR FATHER TOGETHER AGAIN.DAVID WAS THE OLD YACHT CAPTAIN, AND PASSED AWAY HIMSELF 2/09/07. THOSE DAYS MEANT THE WORLD TO DAVID. WE WISH THEM BOTH PEACE.
Neil Cacciottolo
February 13, 2007
My prayers and thoughts are with Mr. Walgreen and the Walgreen family. Some of my family members at one time or another were employed at Walgreens; from candy dippers to pharmacists. Walgreens is not only a great institution-but part of our historic landscape as well. Mr. Walgreen was a great man and lead a good life. He will be missed by all.
Neil J. Cacciottolo
The Sunset Media Group.
Dick Saffro
February 13, 2007
Dear Cork and Kathy, Cheri and I send our deepest heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. Love, Dick and Cheri
Cindi Brady Limbrick
February 13, 2007
God Bless You Mr. Walgreen,
May you rest in peace with my Mother
and Father, the late Josh Brady and
Sylvia.
MARGARET BIGONESS
February 13, 2007
My fondest moment with Mr. Walgreen was, when he told Mrs. Walgreen that he and I were going to the store to purchase milk. As being his private nurse, I assisted Mr. Walgreen into the van. He looked at me and said, "Ok now I would like you to take me to get a dog." I said,"I thought you wanted milk." He said he changed his mind. Off to Anti Cruelty we go. His first choice dog was a 125 pound Great Dane. I said ."I really dont think Mrs Walgreen is going to like this lap dog. Thank goodness he settled for a 6 pound Chihuhua. It was a pleasure in caring for him over the years. MAY GOD BLESS HIM.
Margaret Bigoness
Donald Staley
February 13, 2007
I knew Chuck through the Rotary Club of Chicago. He believed in the "Rotary Four Way Test" of the things we say and do and practiced this throughout his business and personal life.
margo mullady
February 13, 2007
Dear Corky,Kathy & Entire Walgreen
Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your Dad. He joins
many greats. Please be assured I will keep him in my prayers along
with the rest of the group.
Love,
Margo Mullady
John Scott
February 13, 2007
Jean, Les, Cork, Jimmy and the enire Walgreen and Campbell families, the Scott family shares your loss. Chuck was such a dear friend to my parents, from dinners at North Shore and the Tavern Club to trips on the Sis W and to Dixon, their times together with Chuck, Mary Ann and Jean were precious. Chuck was a kind and wonderful man, god bless him.
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