Vernon Young Obituary

Young, Vernon Lee A teacher by trade, politician by nature, and adventurer at heart died March 12, 2012 in Hoffman Estates, IL. Among his many unique experiences Vernon spent two years in rural Africa as part of the first wave of Peace Corps volunteers, piloted a single-engine plane across much of the United States and led University Park as its President for two terms. Vernon was born in Chicago to Jack Ross and Ursula (born Karr) Young on April 26, 1939. He lived in Peoria in his early years, before his family moved to Cambridge, IL, where he attended elementary school and graduated from Cambridge High School. He was a Boy Scout, and was involved in numerous activities in high school; including playing on the football team and playing the French horn in band.While attending Augustana College in Rock Island he met Betsy Scott, the love of his life, who he married Nov. 20, 1959 while both were students at the school. He graduated with a degree in Chemistry. The couple moved to Lincoln, Neb., where Vernon attended the University of Nebraska. After a year of studies, Vernon and Betsy took a cross country car trip from Nebraska to Florida, and decided shortly after to apply for the newly formed Peace Corps.They were accepted and assigned to teach at a single room school "up country," in Liberia, West Africa in a very rural area near the town of Zorgowee in 1963. An avid photographer, Vernon documented the experience with slides, pictures and Super 8 film. During breaks they traveled elsewhere in the country, including on safari in East Africa. They saved enough stipend money while working to take a two month tour of Europe on the way home.Upon their return to the Nebraska, Vernon completed his Master's Degree in Chemistry. The couple settled in a small suburb of Chicago now known as University Park. He got a job as a Social Studies teacher at Hubbard Trail Junior High in Crete, IL. He taught for 25 years in the 201-U School District, many at Deer Creek Junior High in University Park. An active member of the teachers union, Vernon served as a contract negotiator and grievance representative. He became involved in local politics almost as soon arriving on town, serving on numerous committees and boards, including several terms on the Village Board as a Trustee. In 1988 he was elected as Village President, and he was reelected in 1992. He was involved in many local organizations and groups, including the Lions Club, United Way, the Civil Air Patrol and the Thorn Creek Woods board. He was a member of Pilgrimage Protestant Congregation in University Park from its inception, and spent time as the church's treasurer.Vernon learned to pilot a single-engine plane in the mid-1970s, and spent as much of his free time as he could flying and traveling. Along with Betsy and their children, Stephen and Stacie, Vernon took epic summer vacations from coast to coast in the United States and beyond, including a month of "island hopping" to visit friends in Trinidad, and a flight along the rim of the Grand Canyon.After retiring from teaching junior high, Vern taught English as a Second Language at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, IL. He eventually retired to Bradenton, Fl. In the late 1990s, the same town where his parents and grandparents had retired. While continuing to fly, the couple began to enjoy cruises, including one to Europe, and another that fulfilled Vernon's lifelong dream of seeing Alaska.In 2009, after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, he and Betsy moved to the Devonshire in Hoffman Estates, where they made new friends and were closer to their five grandchildren, Kathleen, Thomas, Wyatt, Jack and Connor. Up until the time of his Parkinson's diagnosis, Vernon was primary care giver to Betsy, who had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the early 1970s. In addition to Betsy, his children and grandchildren, Vernon is survived by loving cousins, many nieces and nephews, along with countless friends and fellow travelers. Memorial Visitation Thursday 2-8 p.m. at Hirsch West End Chapel, 3501 W. Lincoln Hwy. (Rt. 30), Matteson, IL. Family and Friends to gather Friday at Pilgrimage Protestant Congregation Church 1100 University Parkway, University Park, Il for Funeral Service 10:00 a.m. Interment Private. You may express your thoughts and memories in the online guest book at www.hirschfuneralhome.com. 708-748-3800. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National MS Society at 733 3rd Ave. 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10017or National Parkinson Foundation , Gift Processing Center P O BOX 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018 would be appreciated.