An Elmwood Park police officer for 22 years, Ted E. Strandt joined the force when it was so small that “everybody did everything,” said his wife, Diana. “They didn’t have an academy that police officers went to. It was on-the-job training.” A resident of Schaumburg the last nine years, Mr. Strandt, 70, died of a heart attack Wednesday, Dec. 17, in Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Elk Grove Village. Born in Berwyn, he grew up in River Grove, graduating from Leyden High School in 1952. He joined the Navy soon after, serving several years at a base in California, where he ran a decoding machine. After his military service ended he returned to the Chicago area and within weeks had met his wife, whom he married in 1956. He joined the Elmwood Park Police Department in 1961 and retired in 1983. He spent the next 17 years driving an Illinois Armored Car, mostly in the suburbs. Most recently he worked part time as a crossing guard for the Barrington Police Department. He liked golfing and watching sports, his wife said. Other survivors include a son, Ted; two daughters, Cindy Treiber and Sherry; a brother, Robert; and two grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday in Geils Funeral Home, 180 S. York Rd., Bensenville. A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home.
