Wallace C. Solberg

Wallace C. Solberg, 87, of Oak Park, Illinois died peacefully on Friday, January 25, 2019. He was born on April 19, 1931, in Chicago Illinois, the son of Clarence and Mary (Wallace) Solberg. He married Joan E. Solberg (nee Bacigalupo, Basse) in 1950. She remained his loving wife for the rest of his life. Wallace (“Wally”) grew up on the west side of Chicago in Resurrection Parish. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School and then Northwestern University with a degree in mechanical engineering. In 1974, he was appointed Vice President and General Manager of the Northrop Corporation Defense Systems Division in Rolling Meadows, a position he held until 1990. Thereafter, he served as Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Northrop Grumman Corporation Military Aircraft Systems Division until his retirement in 1996. His devotion to his family was immeasurable. He loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren, playing baseball with his sons when he was young and golf as he got older. He enjoyed Sunday dinner at home with his family during his working years. In retirement, he loved to take his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends to his favorite restaurants. In addition to his wife, Joan, survivors include his sisters Joann (Robert) Roempke and Penelope Strahl; his brothers Jeffrey (Bonnie) Solberg and Quentin Solberg; his sons, Gregory (Holli) Solberg, Michael (Mary) Solberg, Joseph (Patricia) Solberg, Wallace (Lynda) Solberg, and Patrick (Laurie) Solberg; his 17 grandchildren, Jeffrey, Brian, Timothy, Thomas, Joseph, Karen, Sally, John, Jennifer, Mary, James, Michael, Joseph, Elissa, Daniel, Zoë, and Ryan; 20 great grandchildren; and many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; by his sister Judith; by his son Christopher Solberg; and by his grandson Michael W. Solberg. Visitation will be on Friday, February 1, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels, 450 Lake Street, Roselle, Illinois (3/4 mile west of Bloomingdale/Roselle Rd.) Ralph Massey Funeral Director. There will also be visitation on Saturday February 2, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. at St. Bernardine Catholic Church, 7246 Harrison Street, Forest Park. The funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. For info (630) 889-1700 or www.salernofuneralhomes.com