Chicago Tribune Obit

William W. Tongue, 91. Beloved husband of the late Beverly; loving father of Barbara and Kathleen. Passed away on March 7, 2007, of complications from a stroke. He was an economist, business consultant and educator, particularly known for business forecasting. Born in Worcester, MA, and raised on Long Island, NY, he was married 67 years to Beverly, nee Cohan, his high school sweetheart. They lived in Park Ridge for 56 years until moving to Arlington Heights in 1998. Bill received the A.B. and M.C.S. degrees from Dartmouth, and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1947. In his early career he worked for Coe College, the U.S. Office of Strategic Services and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. From 1944 to 1964, he was the Chief Economist for Jewel Companies, Inc. He returned to academics as Professor of Economics and Finance and Head of the Finance Dept. at the University of Illinois-Chicago from 1965 to 1980, and wrote a forecasting newsletter for LaSalle National Bank. He served as President of the National Assoc. of Business Economists 1962 to 1963 and the Midwest Financial Assoc. 1972 to 1973. He was active at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Park Ridge for 65 years, and served on the Board of Directors of Resurrection Hospital and the St. Joseph Light and Power Co. Bill was an avid golfer, playing 50 years in the Park Ridge Twilite Golf League. He and Beverly also loved traveling. A trip to European financial capitals in 1972 provided the background for his book "How We Can Halt Inflation and Still Keep our Jobs". After moving to Arlington Heights, Bill was on the Board of Directors and Vice President of the Luther Village Owners Corp. from 2002 to 2005. Survivors include daughters Barbara Duggan of Ridgewood, NJ, and Kathleen Alligood of Fairfax, VA; grandchildren Stephen, Kathleen, Suzanne Duggan and Katherine Sauer; and surviving members of the Tongue family. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 31, at 2 p.m., in St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 306 S. Prospect, Park Ridge. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to the William W. Tongue Scholarship Endowment at the Univ. of Chicago, c/o Noel Salinger, 5801 S. Ellis Ave., Office #306A, Chicago, IL 60637.
Published in the Chicago Tribune on 3/18/2007.