Glen Keesee, 81, of Wilmette, who founded an elevator company, died of Alzheimer’s disease Tuesday, April 2, in Presbyterian Homes in Evanston. During World War II the Oklahoma native served in the Navy on the submarines USS Shark I, USS Tuna and USS Lagarto in the South Pacific. Mr. Keesee, an avid reader and fan of William Shakespeare, graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in electrical engineering. After working for Otis Elevator in San Francisco, he formed his own company, Golden Gate Elevator Co. After selling the company, he ran the elevator consulting firm of Hesselberg, Keesee & Associates until 1985. He continued as a consultant to lawyers until 1990. “He was an expert witness all over the country for elevator accidents, anything concerning elevator safety,” said his wife, Rose. “They would call him, and off he would go.” He was a member of the World War II Submarine Veterans and the National Elevator Engineer Organization. Also surviving are two daughters, Mary Riley and Kathy Curtis; a stepdaughter, Patti Thomas; a stepson, Michael Trinklein; a brother, Roland; four sisters, Claudia Aubrey, Harriet Sipper, Louise Wildberger and Lorina Wagenhoff; four grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Lutheran Home Chapel, 800 Oakton St., Arlington Heights.
