Robert L. Shallenberg, 82, of Wheaton, a mechanical engineer who held numerous patents, died of heart failure Sunday, May 26, in Clearwater, Fla.
Born in Salem, Ohio, Mr. Shallenberg was the son of an engineer. As a young man, his first car was an automobile his father brought home that needed a lot of work.
“His dad was smart by giving him the one thing that would most motivate someone his age–his very own car,” said his son, Robert. “All he needed to hear was, `Fix it and it’s yours,’ and within weeks he had it up and running.”
As a student at the University of Cincinnati during the 1930s and ’40s, where he received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Mr. Shallenberg participated in a program at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago to help design and build its coal mine exhibit. He also helped operate the museum’s train exhibit and worked on other projects. He graduated with a master’s degree in business from the University of Chicago.
A certified professional engineer, Mr. Shallenberg held 45 patents. He worked for several companies, beginning with International Harvester in Melrose Park, where he had patents on several devices used in diesel testing. He then worked for Liquid Controls and, later, K-Line, where he developed more patents.
He retired at age 65 from his position as vice president in charge of new product development at ServiceMaster in Downers Grove. There he was responsible for dozens of patents involving cleaning devices.
“He had real talent when it came to anything technical or mechanical,” said his son. “It didn’t matter what the application was, if it was a device of any kind, he could build it.”
A Wheaton resident since 1956, Mr. Shallenberg was an active member of Wheaton Bible Church for almost 50 years, where he was the Sunday superintendent and the chairman of the board. He also served as a board member at Trinity College and his condo association, in Florida.
Mr. Shallenberg served overseas in World War II with the Army and later with the Navy, because of his aptitude for fixing diesel engines.
Other survivors include his wife of 58 years, Janice; a daughter, Carolyn K. Appling; a brother, Lowell; a sister, Marge Sabol; and five grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the chapel in Wheaton Bible Church, Main and Franklin Streets, Wheaton.
