Richard “Dick” AtenRichard “Dick” Aten
Richard “Dick” E. Aten, 88, of Highland died Dec. 18, 2018, in Madison, Wis., from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.
He was born in Canton, a son of Merlin and Annetta Aten. He married Janet Lee Bridge on June 28, 1958, in Oak Park. She preceded him in death.
He also was preceded in death by one son, Jeffrey; and two brothers, Robert and John Aten.
Surviving are one brother, Rodney; two children, Jennifer and Wesley; and two grandchildren, Dylan and Wyatt.
He grew up in Astoria, working on the family farm. At age 14, he then moved to Macomb to begin his secondary education. There he attended Western Illinois High School then Bradley University, finally finishing his education with a civil engineering degree from the University of Illinois.
He served in the United States Army from 1950-52 with a final rank of Second Lieutenant, remaining in the reserves until 1957.
Dick and Janet had three children and spent several years living in Glenview. Although he was a proud Illinoisan, he often worked and lived overseas including the Middle East, Latin America, Caribbean and South Asia. As a civil engineer, he worked on many programs evaluating community water resources, bringing fresh water to arid regions and harnessing water resources for community development.
The organizations he participated in were the Audubon Society, Rotary Club, various tree commissions, and he supported non-profit organizations including world-relief, nature, young adult Core education, the American Society of Civil Engineers and other engineering associations.
Services were held Saturday at the Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb. Burial was at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Astoria.
Memorials may be made to the City of Highland Illinois Memorial Tree Program, http://highlandil.gov/public_documents/fov1-00011c21/LivingTree.
Condolences may be sent to clugston-tibbittsfh.com.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus