Alden Fredrick Presler

Alden Fredrick Presler, formerly of Florence Twsp. and Westlake, OH, peacefully passed away on November 17, 2018 in Portage County, OH. Alden was born March 24, 1924 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. His residency in Ohio began in Cleveland in 1957; Westlake in 1958; Florence Twsp. in 1988, and remaining years with his daughter, Marilla. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War II. Alden graduated from Iowa State with his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering; received his Masters degree in Abstract Mathematics from the University of Minnesota, and returned to Iowa State for his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Alden worked for NASA as a Chemical Engineer-Mathematician for 30 years, retiring in September 1987; and then consulted for ANALEX Corp for 7 years, until retiring in 1994. He was a member of Florence Congregational Church, founding member of Westlake Presbyterian; Amateur Fencing League of America; AIChemE; Westlake Art League; the NRA; AMVETS; and a lifetime member of both the VFW and American Legion. Alden enjoyed international travel, sailing, fencing, gardening, opera, reading, history, horseback riding, dancing, and umpiring girl's softball. In youth he played various sports, and as an adult, he played the bagpipes and was a talented artist, having restored the Lily-Weston House in Westlake with his wife, Phyllis. Alden was a founding member, 1st Vice President and 2nd President, of the Westlake Historical Society. He taught fencing and had been an interim Adjunct Professor at Fenn College (Cleveland State). Alden was also influential in establishing the regional collegiate Engineering Co-Op Program and sat on several Doctoral committees. He is survived by his daughters, Petrena (Rick) Voelker; Marilla Presler; son, Fred (Melanie) Presler; grandchildren, Natasha (Dustin) Wicke, Alden, Lauren, Rachel, and Natalie; great-granddaughter, Kaija Wicke; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Preceded in death by wife, Phyllis Jane Smith Presler in 2011; parents, Aldolph F. and Anna Marie (nee Johnson) Presler; son, Charles; sister, Charlotte Chilton, grandson, Justin; and brothers-in-law, Arthur, Bill and Earlo. The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 29, 2018 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm for a Ceremony of Life at American Legion Post #421, 22001 Brookpark Rd., Fairview Park, OH. A military ceremony/private inurnment will take place in the spring of 2019. Alden's family suggests memorial contributions to Florence Congregational Church, 11801State Route 113, Berlin Heights, OH 44814, or Iowa State AIChemE Student Chapter. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.