Wilbert Dahlgren

DAHLGREN, Wilbert Leslie- Age 74, of Flint, died Sunday, September 2, 2007 at his residence.  Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, September 6, 2007 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek.  Burial to follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery, Flint.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5-8PM Wednesday and 10 AM until the time of service Thursday.  Those desiring may make contributions to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1332 N. Halsted Street, Suite 201, Chicago, IL 60622.  Wilbert was a Professor Emeritus of Kettering University.  He was born in Alpha, MI September 12, 1932 to Oscar and Fern (Larson) Dahlgren.  He graduated from Amasa High School with the class of 1950 and from Michigan Tech University at Houghton, MI with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1954.  While there he completed the Air Force ROTC Program, becoming a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserves.  After a short time with the Milwaukee District Army Corps. of Engineers, he was called to service as a Gas Turbine Engineer in the Allison Offices of the Power Plant Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB at Dayton, Ohio.  While there, he was assigned the Power Plant Offices covering the characteristics of aircraft gas turbine engine involved in nuclear bomb testing.  He spent several months in 1956 with "Operation Redwing" on the island of Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands.  After serving his Reserve Officer commitment, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.  Wilbert then accepted a teaching position in the M.E. Department at General Motors Institute in 1957, which was to become the first college to have an operational gas turbine engine.  He stayed for almost 40 years, through the GMI, GMI-EMI, Kettering University evolution, retiring in 1996.  During this time he earned a Masters Degree in Engineering from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and became a Registered Professional Engineer.  At GMI, in addition to teaching, he headed the "What's New in Engineering" Program, taught many off-campus classes including the first one for credit from GMI.  He also served as Secretary of the GM Engine Test Code Committee for 25 years.  Wilbert was a life member of the Society of Automotive Engineers.  When not rebuilding or remodeling the family home or cabin, working on cars and motorcycles, he was out enjoying the outdoors.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved snowmobiling.  He leaves his wife of 48 years, Jeanette and three children; son, Peter of Flint, two daughters, Laura (Paul) DesGravise of South Lyon, MI and Linda (Daniel) Stuit of Holly, MI.  There are eight grandchildren, Matthew Carver, Joseph DesGravise and Alex, Monica, Ben, Kristen, Holly and Patrick Dahlgren.  He is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Patricia Johnson of Lakeland, FL, Vida Nelson, Inez (John) Wooddell and brother-in-law, John B. (Margaret) Foote all of Ohio; several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his Father, Mother, Stepfather, Albert Johnson and Stepbrother, Delbert Johnson.  "Online condolences and tributes may be posted on the Obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com"