Theodore J. Wattenberg
Of Prospect Heights
Theodore J. Wattenberg was born on October 31,
1908 in Berlin, Germany. He passed away on
Saturday, February 9, 2013 in Riverwoods.
Ted lived the American Dream. After World War I,
at the age of 16, he immigrated to Chicago. He
lived with his uncle Albert and Aunt Julia
Schwalge. Ted worked as a busboy and met his
sweetheart, Marianna Massi, at the PM Club in
Chicago. They were married 71 years and lived in
Prospect Heights.
Soon after arriving in the U.S. Ted decided to
stay because he loved his new country and home.
He earned his law degree from DePaul University
in 1937 and was proud to have passed the bar
exam on the first try. Ted said, "When I was
earning my law degree things were much more
difficult in this country than they are now. A
major depression was occurring. But as difficult
as things were at that time, they were better
than in Europe. It was still possible to
succeed. The keys were hard work and
dedication."
Ted served 16 years as a Village of Mount
Prospect Trustee (1984-1990) as well as a four
year member of the Mount Prospect School Board.
He has been credited with doing more than 20,000
hours of public service during his combined 20
years with the Village of Mount Prospect. Ted
said, "I never thought about the amount of time
I devoted to either activity. Both were as
volunteers. I was happy to help the community
and give something back."
Former trustees have said that Ted always voted
his conscience. He never worried about the way
other people voted or was swayed by passing
opinion. Ted said, "Yes, indeed, I have always
been a lone voice. I am very comfortable in that
position. I do not feel society is best served
by elected officials rubber stamping
legislation." Ted said, "I do not take credit
for the accomplishments the board made during my
16 years in office. It was a team effort."
Ted thought of himself as semi-retired. In the
past years, he did real estate closings, served
as president of D.A.N.K., served as an election
judge, consultant to political candidates, and
wrote numerous letters to the editor to the
Daily Herald and Chicago Tribune.
Ted and Marianna spent winter months in Florida
after enjoying many trips in the United States
and Europe. They loved their two daughters,
Patricia and Margaret; sons-in-law, Bill and
Irwin; seven grandchildren; and 16
great-grandchildren.
Ted said, "I have fulfilled the American Dream
with the loving help of my wife, Marianna,
family and friends. I am proud of my
re-elections as well as my legal work and role
model to others. When others judge you well, you
know you are a success."
Theodore is survived by his daughters, Patricia
(William) Plautz and Margaret (Irwin) Shechtman;
his grandchildren, Brian (Kristen) Plautz,
Bradley (Julie) Shechtman, Matthew (Maureen)
Shechtman, Karen (Glenn) Buric, Leon (Diana)
Shechtman, Ted (Robin) Shechtman and Sherman
(Erin) Shechtman; and his15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marianna
Wattenberg (nee Massi).
Visitation from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm, Monday,
February 11, 2013 at Glueckert Funeral Home
Ltd., 1520 North Arlington Heighjts Road, (4
blocks south of Plaltine Road), Arlington
Heights where funeral services will be held at
10:30 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013.
Interment at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the
American Heart Association, Memorials & Tributes
3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 or
consider volunteering in Ted’s memory.
Glueckert Funeral Home
(847) 253-0168
1520 North Arlington Heights
Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004