Dusckas Obituaries

Roy B. Ahlgren

Roy B. Ahlgren, age 83, of Harborcreek, passed away Friday, February 4, 2011 at Select Specialty Hospital. He was born in Erie on July 6, 1927, son of the late Agnar and Annie Ahlgren.

Roy received his BS degree in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. During the 1960's he worked as an artist-designer for the Louis Marx Toy Company in Erie. During this time he was a partner in Galerie 8, an art gallery showing local artists' works. He was hired as an Assistant Professor in Printmaking at Edinboro University in 1974 for the winter semester. In 1970 Roy replaced his former art teacher Joe Plavcan at Tech Memorial High School from which he had graduated. After twenty years of teaching and printmaking, Roy retired in 1990 to paint full time.

Roy's work is in over 100 permanent collections including the U.S. Information Agency; Krakow, Poland; Tokyo, Japan; Butler Art Institute; Fredrikstad, Norway; Frechen, Germany, Goteborg, Sweden; St. Paul Museum, Minnesota; Seattle, Washington; Memorial Art Gallery Rochester, N.Y.; Erie Art Museum, Erie, Pa.; Embragel, Brazil; Erie Maritime Museum, Erie, Pa.; McGraw-Hill, Columbus, Ohio; Maastricht, Netherlands; and many others. Juried exhibits included are Butler Mid-Year Show 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1972; Audobon Annual National Art Gallery, N.Y.C. 1968, 1969, 1971 and 1972; Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 1969; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 1969; National Academy of Design, N.Y.C. 1968, 1969, 1976, 1978 and 1979; and others. Roy has been included in "Who's Who in American Art" and "International Artists". Two books of his artwork have been published by Bob Hagle.

Roy was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during WWII. He was a member of the Boston Printmakers, the NW Pennsylvania Artist Association and the Erie Art Museum.

Roy is survived by his wife of 58 years, Martha Ahlgren; four children, Deborah Gorny, Alan Ahlgren and Brian Ahlgren all of Erie and David Ahlgren (Julie) of Sumter, S.C.; one sister, Inga "Lil" Machuga of Erie; four grandchildren, Roger Gorny, Tim Ahlgren, Noelle Berkhof, Sandy Spangler (Michael); four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond Ahlgren.

Friends may call at the Dusckas Funeral Home, Inc., East, 2607 Buffalo Road, on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to attend a Funeral Service there on Tuesday at 11 a.m. conducted by Rev. Al Gesler, Jr. Private interment will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.

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