George William Kasper

George William Kasper of Rockford passed on to be with his Lord and Savior on November 11th, 2021. Eldest son of Ruth Mabel McKiski, and William George Kasper, George was born April 26th, 1932, on the Charley Ackerman farm in Boone County, Illinois, north of Belvidere. In 1936 his parents bought and moved to the John Lake farm on Spring Brook Road in Guilford Township., Winnebago County.

George graduated from East Senior High School, Class of 1950 in Rockford, participating in the ROTC Rifle and Drill Team. He worked as a Mechanical draftsman at Ekstrom-Carlson Co. prior to joining the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and serving in Korean Era. Upon becoming a B-29 Airplane and Engine Mechanic he was stationed at Mountain Home, AFB, Idaho. Thereafter he entered USAF Pilot Training and graduated, he received his Wings in 1955. His first assignment was with the Special Air Missions Squadron at Rhein Main Air Base in Frankfort, Germany, flying logistics, NATO personnel, V.I.P.’s and the Berlin Air Corridors. He co-piloted a C-54 in Germany and Izmir, Turkey, for the commanding generals, personnel pilots at NATO Headquarters, and piloted C-47 at O’Hare Field, 5th Army Headquarters in Chicago.

In 1959 George returned to his studies at University of Illinois at Urbana, graduateing in 1964 with Bachelor of Architecture degree. He apprenticed with John J. Fladd & Associates located in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1965 he joined the C. Edward Ware architectural firm and in 1971-1992 served as Associate Partner with Larson & Darby, Inc. in Rockford as Architect, Project Architect and Construction Administrator. He is a Member Emeritus in American Institute of Architects, and State and Local Chapters.

Married Elizabeth Marie Ross, September 30, 1971, at Roscoe, Illinois. They enjoyed a long and devoted marriage, celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary September 30th, 2021.

As a boy George loved to play in the soil and build model airplanes, while helping his father work the virgin fields. He loved fine art, playing cards, gardening, ballroom and square dancing and repairing all types of objects.

Survivors include: wife, Beth of Rockford; three Sons: Timothy Todd of Madison, Wisconsin; and George Patrik (Stephanie Stella), grandson Auden Jack, of Wausau, Wisconsin; and Christopher Paul (Ina Ricciardi), granddaughter, Evelyn Rose of Hilton Head, South Carolina. George will be sorely missed by his wife and family.

He was preceded by: Brothers: Gordan Allan of Belvidere, IL; Wesley Eugene of Dallas, Texas; sister, Joan Ruth Perrett of Belvidere, IL; son Michael Rene of Wausau, Wisconsin on December 24th, 2020; and cocker spaniels, Chamois and Apple Blossom.

Cremains will be interred in Guilford Union Cemetery, Spring Brook Road., Rockford.

Condolences maybe e-mailed to 24geobet@gmail.com or mailed to Sundberg Funeral Home, 215 North Sixth Street, Rockford, Illinois 61107.

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