North Shore Obituary: George Harwood Bodeen, 91

The following obituary is courtesy of Donnellan Family Funeral Services.

George Harwood Bodeen, 91, beloved husband of Nancy Bodeen (née Lindberg) with whom he shared 64 years of marriage, passed away on May 21, 2015.

George was born in Chicago on March 31, 1924. He is the son of the late George Herman Bodeen and the late Alva Bodeen (née Larson). His sister, Helen Brockington Richardson (née Bodeen), preceded him in death.

As a young man, George achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Amundsen High School in June of 1941, and was then accepted to The School of Engineering at Northwestern University. After his father’s sudden passing on October 31, 1941, George, 17 years old, became the primary provider for his family. He then went to the Dean to notify him that he had to withdraw from school in order to support his mother and sister. The Dean said, “You are coming back someday, and I’ll keep your file here and have it ready for your return.” George then took a position with Teletype Corporation.

Although George was initially granted a deferment in order to continue to care for his family, in 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served as a Navigator/Bombardier as well as a Radar Operator on B-17s and B-24s. He also played the clarinet and the tenor saxophone in the Army Air Corps band.

Following the war, he contacted the Dean and was again accepted to the School of Engineering on the G.I. Bill. He graduated with a B.S. in 1949. As an alum, he returned to campus with a friend and went to a Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority Open House to welcome the new pledges. It was there he met Nancy Lindberg. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on June 30, 1951.

George began his career as a salesperson with Neenah Foundry and made a lasting impression on the company president. He encouraged George to speak with his father-in-law, Roy Lindberg, president of Lindberg Steel Treating Company in Chicago, about joining the company. In 1952, George began work at Lindberg as a maintenance department worker on the third shift. As his career progressed, George went to night school at Northwestern to attain his Masters Degree in Materials Science (1970). He succeeded in becoming President, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, shepherding the company’s growth from a regional heat treating company to the largest commercial heat treater in North America, with operations in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Canada. Lindberg served more than 10,000 customers in a range of industries including: aerospace, automotive, oil field equipment, consumer products, agricultural equipment, heavy truck, construction, defense and machine tool markets. A major achievement by George while at Lindberg was the successful processing of solid rocket fuel motor cases for the Minuteman and other missile programs.

He is a Past President of the Metal Treating Institute (1973-74) and ASM International (1983) (formerly known as American Society for Metals). At ASM, he is a Distinguished Life Member, Fellow, and Honorary Member. In addition, the George H. Bodeen Heat Treating Achievement Award was established in his honor in 1997. He was also the Founding President of the ASM Heat Treating Society.

Other honors he has received include two Northwestern Alumni Awards; one for Merit and one for Service; Significant Sig from Sigma Chi Fraternity; Who’s Who of Engineering; Legend and Heritage Award, Metal Treating Institute; SpaceWalk of Honor at Kennedy Space Center in recognition of support of the American Space Program; and Honorary Vice President of the International Federation for Heat Treatment and Surface Engineering.

He has served on many boards including The Hadley School for the Blind (Chairman 1991-1993, Life Trustee), the North Suburban YMCA (Co-Founder), DICKEY-john, The Pepper Companies, Trustmark, Old Kent-Fifth Third Bank, Clevite Industries, George Williams College, Pfingsten Partners, the Swedish American Museum, and Presbyterian Homes (Life Director). He was also a member of the McCormick Advisory Council at Northwestern.

George was a member of The Commercial Club (Life), The Chicago Club, and The Economic Club. He was a member of Loblolly Club, and served on the Architectural Review Committee. He was also a member of Castle Park Association. He is a past President of Skokie Country Club (1974), and was a member of Old Elm Club, where he loved to golf. He also loved to fly fish, and was an enthusiastic member of Coleman Lake Club.

He was a member of the Glencoe Union Church, contributing in several significant ways. He was General Chairman of the Centennial Fund Drive (1970-74), involved in the Second Century Fund (2013), and led the high school Youth Fellowship group from 1971-75 with his wife Nancy.

George Bodeen was a humble, affable, compassionate, and energetic man who made everyone smile when they saw him. He was welcoming to all, and even those who didn’t know him could feel his warmth. He made time to listen and help problem-solve, no matter who you were. He was a mentor to many and helped guide and foster a sense of confidence in those he helped. He will be missed by his many friends, colleagues, and acquaintances and, of course, his family.

He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, and his four children; Debbie (Jeff Calhoun), Michael, Julie (Andy Phelps), and Susan; and his eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial services for George Bodeen will be held on June 7th, at 4:00 p.m. at Glencoe Union Church, 263 Park Avenue, Glencoe, IL 60022.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090 or to Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter, Attn: Donations, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview, IL 60025.

Info: 847-675-1990 or www.donnellanfuneral.com