Paul A. Druwe, 55, of Elmhurst, a retired colonel in the Illinois Air National Guard who served in the Persian Gulf war, died of cancer Sunday, May 5, in his home. “He loved the military,” said his wife, Barbara. “He loved the people that he served with. He greatly respected them.” Born in Oak Park, Mr. Druwe was raised in Bellwood and graduated from Proviso East High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Western Illinois University. After graduation he entered the Air Force and trained to become an officer. In 1968 Mr. Druwe and his wife married. The couple had four children and lived throughout the United States as he served as a maintenance chief. When he was discharged in 1974, he was a captain. The couple moved to Elmhurst, and Mr. Druwe joined an Illinois Air National Guard unit based at O’Hare International Airport. Mr. Druwe’s outfit, the 126th Air Refueling Wing, was attached to the 1712th Air Refueling Wing and was stationed in Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates during the gulf war. Mr. Druwe, who held the rank of major before the war, was promoted to lieutenant colonel after it ended. Upon his retirement in 1994, he was promoted to colonel. “He was a very patriotic person who loved serving his country. He had several jobs after he left the Air Force, but the military and the National Guard was, all along, a constant for him,” said his son Michael. In 1992, Elmhurst honored Mr. Druwe, the highest-ranking military officer in the village, by naming him grand marshal of its Memorial Day parade. Mr. Druwe also worked as a warehouse manager for Ty Inc. For the last five years Mr. Druwe battled cancer but never gave up hope, his son said. “He had a real passion for life,” he said. Other survivors include three sons, James, Thomas and Stephen; a sister, Arline Cronk; a brother, Frederick; and two grandchildren. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Ahlgrim Funeral Home, 567 S. Spring Rd., Elmhurst, followed by services at 8 p.m.
