Alfred "Al" Deutscher

1945 - 2010

GALESBURG - Alfred "Al" Deutscher, 65, 918 N. Prairie St., Galesburg, died at 9:31 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2010, in the emergency room at Galesburg Cottage Hospital.
He was born Feb. 8, 1945 in Celle, Germany, the son of Albert and Frieda Deutscher. The family moved to the United States in 1952. Al married Wanda Gregory Smith in 2001 in Las Vegas.
He is survived by his wife; his mother Frieda of Galesburg; a sister, Elfrieda (and Jim) Jackson of Brookfield, Ill.; a son, Jay (and Lori) Reynolds of Pennsylvania; four daughters, Theresa (and Tim) Burnett of Arizona, Jami (and Zach) Paul of Indiana, Kelly Brasseau of Virginia and Sarah Deutscher of Galesburg; two stepdaughters, Julie and Kimberly Smith, both of Galesburg; six grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and one cousin, Eddie (and Anna) Braun of Mount Prospect, Ill. He was preceded in death by his father and a sister.
Al attended Galesburg schools, including Galesburg High School, but graduated in LaGrange, Ill.
He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1963 and served for nearly 10 years. He then worked as an engineer for Metro in the Chicago area before working for the Burlington Northern Railroad in Colorado. He worked for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Galesburg, retiring in 2007.
Al enjoyed flying, boating, fishing, riding his motorcycle, playing golf, woodworking and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Funeral will be at noon Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Rev. Tom Ek will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post 285. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the chapel. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Gordon Behrents Senior Center or a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.