Robert Allen Wahl Jr.

Robert Allen Wahl Jr (Al) passed away peacefully at 96 years of age. Born November 7, 1927, Al enjoyed a full life of accomplishments. Growing up in Oak Park IL, Al began his football career at Oak Park High School later to become a two time All American at the University of Michigan in 1949 and 1950. Al joined the Wolverines football team as a freshman in 1945, then spent the following two years in service with the US Army in Germany. Upon returning to the football field in 1948 to a National Championship, Al picked up the nickname “Brick” Wahl. He was named team captain in 1950 and led Michigan to a Big 10 Championship and a Rose Bowl win. In 2004, he was inducted in the University of Michigan Hall of Honor. During his service with the US Army, Al also became the US Army heavyweight champion in the European theatre, winning four fights to gain the title. He returned to Oak Park to enter the workforce and met his wife Karen Muller of Evanston IL, to whom he remained married to for 70 happy years. After many professional endeavors, he moved with his wife and family to Omaha NE and worked for Valmont Industries. He joined the company in 1965 as Vice President of Marketing and was named President and Chief Operating Officer in 1977. Al served until 1985 helping expand the company into the international marketplace affording both he and his wife many exciting adventures overseas and driving Valmont to become a Fortune 500 company. Upon leaving Valmont, he moved his family to Dallas, TX acquiring a $60 million dollar sales distribution company, Why Not Better Paper Products. After successfully restructuring the company and making strategic acquisitions, he negotiated the sale of the company to a British conglomerate. Upon his retirement, he and Karen enjoyed all that Dallas had to offer and made many lasting friends. They spent their summers in Steamboat Springs Colorado playing golf, tennis and hiking. Right to the end, Al remained active in serving as an independent consultant and in his enjoyment of vigorous political debates to keep his mind sharp. Al was liked by all that knew him and was always the life of the party. Al and Karen had three children: Mark C Wahl, Mari Wahl Henry and Robert Allen Wahl III. His youngest son, Rob preceded him in death in April 2021. He is survived by his wife Karen of 70 years, son Mark Wahl, daughter Mari Henry, son in law David Henry, and daughter in law Cherie Wahl (Rob’s Wife), as well as grandchildren, Max Barretto, Cooper Wahl, Spencer Wahl and Christopher Wahl, and great grandchild Ruston Wahl (Cooper and Jenny Wahl). He will be loved always, sorely missed, and not forgotten. In lieu of flowers the family ask that you leave a memory or a photo of Robert Wahl.

Robert Allen Wahl Jr.

November 7, 1927 - December 17, 2023