In loving memory of
Kenneth R. Lohr
June 5, 2006
Kenneth R. Lohr, age 83, 2314 Madison St., died Monday morning, June 5, 2006 at 1:15 a.m. in Blessing Hospital.
Kenneth was born December 19, 1922 in Quincy, Illinois to Rayborn P. (Pete) and Elizabeth Houdyshell Lohr.
After graduating from Quincy High School in 1941, he served our country in World War II in the U.S. Army in the Campaign of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe from Feb. 12,1943 to Dec. 13, 1945. He was honored with the following: European-African-Middle Eastern ribbon with 1 silver battle star and 4 overseas bars. He married his high school sweetheart Eleanor L. Hetzler while on leave on July 23, 1943.
In 1950 he received his BS in Pharmacy from University of Illinois. He owned and operated the Owl Drug Store 1952-1963 and Lohr's Prescription Shop 1958 until it closed in 1985. He continued working, both at the Illinois Veterans Home and at Blessing Hospital until 1996 when his health prohibited him from continuing.
Kenneth enjoyed doing research of all types. He especially enjoyed collecting information and pictures about pharmacies in Quincy and shared this information with local historians for their books. He authored " A History of the Drug Stores in Quincy, Illinois" for Carl Landrum's "People's History of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois."
This love of the history of pharmacy led him to research medical stamps as well as contributing to books. He had an extensive stamp collection depicting pharmacists around the world. He framed and documented history about each of them and has written articles for "Scalpel and Tongs" a national stamp periodical.
His many other hobbies include fishing, photography, wood working, and music. He played in band and orchestra in High School and toured with a jazz band during World War II, and participated with the Community Band and Orchestra in Quincy.
Mr. Lohr was a member of numerous pharmaceutical associations including The American Institute of the History of Pharmacy and the American College of Apothecaries. He was a founding member of the Adams County Pharmacists Association, a lifetime member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association and a 56 year member of the American Legion Post #37.
In the 1970's he worked with various agencies performing street drug analysis free of charge. He tested drugs for the nonprofit organization, Acid Rescue, to show those who purchased illegal drugs that sometimes dangerous, even deadly ingredients, were being sold. In 1974 he was recognized by the Illinois State Dept. of Correction for his assistance. His work was always free of charge to these organizations because he didn't want anyone to feel he was biased. He received the Bowl of Hygeia Award in 1974. This national award recognizes professional and community service and is given to only 2 pharmacists per state each year. Locally, he was honored with the Edwin Brown award in 1985. This was the Distinguished Service Award from the Adams County Pharmacists Association.
In addition to his wife of 62 years, Kenneth is survived by his daughters Denise Pearcy and Debra Lohr of Quincy and a grandson Johanna (Corey) Mahmud of Chicago. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, Robert Pearcy.
Funeral services will be Monday morning at 11 a.m. in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Troxel officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery. Memorials given to the Quincy High School Music Department or Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kenneth Lohr's memory would be appreciated. American Legion Post #37 will conduct full military rites at the cemetery.