John Peter “Pete” Tullsen, 77
John Peter “Pete” Tullsen, longtime area resident, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack in Elmhurst on January 31, 2018, at the age of 77. Beloved husband of the late Nancy Clegg Tullsen; dear father of Barbara Tullsen (Daniel) Hill and John P. (Evan Siegel) Tullsen, Jr.; cherished Grampa Pete (“G.P.”) of Wesley Tullsen Hill and Alaina Elizabeth Hill; adored brother of the late Dr. R. Catherine Cohen; caring brother-in-law of Carolyn (Stephen) Hemman and the late Howard R. Clegg; uncle of devoted nephew Jeffery S. (Rachel) Hemman and niece Suzanne (Jeff) York; and fun-loving grand-uncle to many. Pete was born in Chicago to Jane and Volney Tullsen and raised in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
He attended Gettysburg College, where he met his late wife of 50 years, and graduated in 1962 with a major in business administration. He then served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant and then received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. Pete and family moved around the country more than a dozen times, primarily due to job transfers for his career as an executive in labor relations and human resources for several multi-national corporations.
Among his many interests and talents, Pete was a devoted participant and fan of sports, including playing high school football, jogging since the 1970s, and bicycling, among others. He had an insatiable appetite for movies, spy and detective novels, and especially jazz music, which he enthusiastically followed for decades. Known as a warm, fair, and honorable man, Pete had a great sense of humor, was easygoing, and was always enormous fun to be around. He was a dedicated and generous volunteer at a number of organizations that assist people who needed an ally like Pete, including most recently at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital.
Pete will be forever missed by his family and many friends. Services and Interment Private. If you are so inclined, please lift a beer or beverage of your choice in Pete’s memory. Arrangements by Ahlgrim Funeral Home. Info 630-834-3515 or ahlgrim.com.
