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PFC Robert Edward Wehrheim

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PFC Robert Edward Wehrheim

Birth
Cook County, Illinois, USA
Death
5 Feb 2001 (aged 47)
Melrose Park, Cook County, Illinois, USA
Burial
Palatine, Cook County, Illinois, USA
Memorial ID
96899153 View Source

Just a day away from a prison term for stealing from his ex-employer, a former Navistar International Corp. worker, William D. Baker, 66, strode into the trucking giant's diesel engine plant in Melrose Park on Monday and opened fire, killing four workers and wounding four more before taking his own life.

Killed were supervisor Daniel T. Dorsch, 52, of Elmwood Park; technician Robert E. Wehrheim, 47, of Hanover Park; Michael Brus, 48, of Hinckley; and test engineer William Garcia, 44, of Carpentersville.

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Robert E. Wehrheim, 47, of Hanover Park was an automotive mechanic who in his spare time rebuilt antique radios and played drums in Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carol Stream.

Mr. Wehrheim died Monday, Feb. 5, after being fatally shot at a Navistar International Corp. plant in Melrose Park. Three co-workers also were killed, and the gunman, a former employee, took his own life.

Raised in Chicago, Mr. Wehrheim graduated from Taft High School there and worked as a mechanic for several car-repair shops in the city. From the late 1980s until 1999, he was a mechanic for Castle Oldsmobile in Morton Grove. Two years ago, he accepted a position at Navistar, where he was a technician in the diesel engine research and testing area.

At home, Mr. Wehrheim enjoyed tinkering with radios in his garage and helping out at his church. He was a board member of the church's Properties Committee, whose participants were responsible for maintaining the church's interior.

"Last Saturday he was here painting some of the church offices," said Koschmann.

Mr. Wehrheim also was a member of the church's Garden Club and, for the past several years, played drums for the Worship Band that performed during the church's contemporary service. He also enjoyed camping and watching his daughter's soccer games.

"He would help anyone whenever they needed help," said his wife of 19 years, Gail.

Other survivors include two sons, David and Scott; a daughter, Amanda; and two sisters, Ruth Kosac and Mary Hamilton.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Brust Funeral Home, 415 N. Gary Ave., Carol Stream. A service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1244 Army Trail Rd., Carol Stream.

Just a day away from a prison term for stealing from his ex-employer, a former Navistar International Corp. worker, William D. Baker, 66, strode into the trucking giant's diesel engine plant in Melrose Park on Monday and opened fire, killing four workers and wounding four more before taking his own life.

Killed were supervisor Daniel T. Dorsch, 52, of Elmwood Park; technician Robert E. Wehrheim, 47, of Hanover Park; Michael Brus, 48, of Hinckley; and test engineer William Garcia, 44, of Carpentersville.

~~~~

Robert E. Wehrheim, 47, of Hanover Park was an automotive mechanic who in his spare time rebuilt antique radios and played drums in Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carol Stream.

Mr. Wehrheim died Monday, Feb. 5, after being fatally shot at a Navistar International Corp. plant in Melrose Park. Three co-workers also were killed, and the gunman, a former employee, took his own life.

Raised in Chicago, Mr. Wehrheim graduated from Taft High School there and worked as a mechanic for several car-repair shops in the city. From the late 1980s until 1999, he was a mechanic for Castle Oldsmobile in Morton Grove. Two years ago, he accepted a position at Navistar, where he was a technician in the diesel engine research and testing area.

At home, Mr. Wehrheim enjoyed tinkering with radios in his garage and helping out at his church. He was a board member of the church's Properties Committee, whose participants were responsible for maintaining the church's interior.

"Last Saturday he was here painting some of the church offices," said Koschmann.

Mr. Wehrheim also was a member of the church's Garden Club and, for the past several years, played drums for the Worship Band that performed during the church's contemporary service. He also enjoyed camping and watching his daughter's soccer games.

"He would help anyone whenever they needed help," said his wife of 19 years, Gail.

Other survivors include two sons, David and Scott; a daughter, Amanda; and two sisters, Ruth Kosac and Mary Hamilton.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Brust Funeral Home, 415 N. Gary Ave., Carol Stream. A service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1244 Army Trail Rd., Carol Stream.

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