Bjorn "John" Ahlin
November 18, 1919 ~ January 31, 2013
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Bjorn Ahlin, 93, of Crowfield Lane Asheville, passed away on Thursday, January 31st at the John F. Keever Solace Center. He was born on November 18, 1919 in Fort Wentworth, Georgia to the late Wanda Nordstrom and Johan Adolf Ahlin.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 68 years Delores "Micki" Meyer Ahlin, his daughter Karen Ahlin Kimsey, grandson Clay Bjorn Kimsey, son-in law James Robert Kimsey, and cousins Per, Susi, Kersti, Jan, and Rebecca Gloersen of Sweden.
Bjorn grew up in Canton NC. He received a B.S. Degree in chemistry at Wofford College before entering the army as a cadet in 1941. He received his wings at Mather Field, Calif on May 23, 1942. He flew as a navigator for 50 missions before returning to the states. Most of his military career was spent in North Africa and Italy. He received two Purple Hearts, the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, and numerous other medals.
After his military career of 5 years in the Army Air Corp, he graduated from University of South Carolina with a BS degree in Pharmacy. Loving history and being a "Renaissance" man, he later received a Master degree in History from Western Carolina University.
After finishing his pharmacy degree he, Micki, and Karen moved to Sylva, NC where he owed Professional Pharmacy for 32 years. He served on the Sylva City Council for 28 years, was a member of the Library Board, Police Commissioner, and also a member of the Town and College Club. He was an avid writer and has written an extensive autobiography and a military poem about a day in the life of a WW II 301st Bomb Group that can be found in the Air Force archives. He collaborated with a professor from Radford University on a World War II textbook using his extensive knowledge of aviation tactics, the North African Order of Battle, and the role of US aviation in the battle for North Africa. He contributed his personal memories and analysis of the air support phase for the Battle of the Kasserine Pass, the first major clash of American forces against German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel and his Afrika Korps.
He was a brilliant, witty, loving person, and always had a joke to tell, and will be missed by his family and friends.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the nurses, staff, and Doctors at the John F. Keever Solace Center. They not only cared for Bjorn but also extended their loving care to the family.
A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at Cavalry Episcopal Church in Fletcher, NC with Father Victor Mansfield officiating.
A reception at the church will follow the memorial service where family will receive friends.
A Private Military interment will be at Cavalry Churchyard following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to John F. Keever Solace Center, 21 Belvedere Road, Asheville, NC 28803.
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Bjorn, as a relative of yours here in Sweden I thank you for the numerous conversations on e-mail and telephone I have enjoyed throughout the years. I remember the letters from you my father used to read to us when I was a kid and how exciting it was to hear what was happening with you, Delores and Karen when I grow up. Thank you for what you have given me from your life story, thus connecting me with you, Delores, Karen, and Clay in space and time. Today my heart is heavy, for your close family and loved ones left behind. For me you Bjorn will alway be here even if you now have found a harbour elsewhere. May there be peace and lightness around you! Kersti – your mother´s sister´s granddaughter
To my Grandpa in NC. It has been comfortable for me and Jan just took the car to visit you for a day or weekend. I missed already the fine memories that we spent together. Many loves and become an angel for us.
My second father that I will always love and remember. Thank you for all the love and the wonderful memories.
Karen, you have my deepest sympathy. Your dad was such a fine and highly respected man. I have great memories of him in the drugstore in Sylva. May God give you and your family solace as you go through this difficult time.
Johnny was a great friend. Enjoyed being in The Town And College Clib with him.. He always prepared interesting papers. He will be greatly missed.
Karen,
I remember well your Dad’s great sense of humor. My sympathy to you and all your family.
Karen. My thoughts are with you and your family. Please remember me to your mother and give her a hug for me. I so enjoyed getting to know your parents during our college days. You have been blessed with wonderful parents. Your Dad was always kind and helpful to many people through his work at pharmacies around the area. I saw him on numerous occasions when he was working in Waynesville and our conversations were always filled with good memories. He will be missed.
Bo
I grew up in Sylva. Johnny was a man who I had the highest respect for. He helped my mother, Eloise Chambers with her medicines over many years, always understanding, caring. He and I shared many conversations. I honor him for what he gave to his country, the service in World War II. He was part of ‘The Greatest Generation’
You have my deepest condolences, but you have the memories of a man that should give you beautful memories for a life-time.
Charles Chambers
Uncle Johnny rest in peace, you were one of a kind and loved by all who knew you i was honored to be your niece. My deepest sympathy to my dear Aunt and cousin a loss of losses. XO Suzanne Plott
Uncle Johnny rest in peace, you were one of a kind and loved by all who knew you i was honored to be your niece. My deepest sympathy to my dear Aunt and cousin a loss of losses. XO Suzanne Plott
My deepest sympathy to the Ahlin
family. I felt honored just to have known Bjorn for the short time I have been in Asheville. He was a kind and humble gentleman,
who I proudly called my neighbor.
I have many fond memories of the entire Ahlin family. They are all special to me and Mr. Ahlin always had kind words for me and a joke to brighten the day. He will be missed.
I’ve known Bjorn for more than 60 years. First through my mother, cousin of Bjorn. She told me about the time Bjorn spent in Sweden during the 1920s. At that time he learned some Swedish, which he gladly practiced later in our conversations. Later, through my father, visiting the Ahlin family, I got to know his wife, Delores, and daughter, Karen – mainly through pictures and stories from his visit to Silva.
In 1994, I and my family had the opportunity to meet Bjorn and family during a trip in the U.S.. We spent some time with the family at their home in Silva and heard more details from his childhood and from his service during the War. Some years later we met at their home in Asheville. Bjorn was an early user of e-mail, so for 15 years we posted mail on monthly basis.He never missed the traditional call on Christmas Eve. Our last contact was on New Year’s Day this year.
Bjorn had a long and eventful life. My family and I miss him very much.
Our deepest sympathy to Delores and Karen
Dearest Micki,
You and Bjorn have touched my heart deeply. I will always treasure the beautiful poem Bjorn wrote for Ben. May he rest in peace and may God bless and keep you and those you love.
Karen and Mrs. Ahlin,
I want to express my sympathy to both of you for your loss. I remember when we were neighbors all those years in Sylva. May you both find comfort in the days to come.
Dear Ms Kimsey and Family,
Our sympathy and prayers are with you. The entire Hunter family has been graced by your loving presence at Emmanuel Lutheran School. Having read your father’s obituary, it is clear where you inherited some of your wit, intellect, and grace under pressure. Your dad was a real hero, and we are blessed to know his daughter.
Sincerely,
John, Sue, John, Hope, and Sarah Hunter
To Micki, Karen and Clay, I knew Mr. Johnny as one of my best friends. He was always so pleasant to see when he worked in Waynesville. Clay was his IDLE. We had many talks and I learned a lot about him and his lovely family. I know he will be missed, but he left a wonderful legacy for everyone that knew him. Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Phillis Ratcliff
Karen, may the knowledge that your dad lived a very full life and was well loved and respected, provide comfort to you and your family. God bless.
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Johnny for years in Sylva. My mother and Father, Patsy and Harold Mcguire knew him also. Dad was Johnny’s dentist for decades. He was always very kind to me and was interested in what was going on for me as a child. I never knew Johnny was a war veteran. I am very interested in the books, autobiography and poem mentioned in the obituary. Can you give me any information on how I might get a copy of these? My son is a historian at the University of Georgia. He and I are most interested. Thank you for sharing if you can. David McGuire DDS
Karen, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I had the utmost respect for him. I loved when he would share stories with me. He was always a gentleman. May God surround you and your family with his love and comfort in the coming days.
Dear Micki, Karen, Clay and Jim
I am deeply saddened by our loss of Björn. I remember for many years how he used call his cousin, my grandmother, Lillemor in Sweden on Christmas Eve. It is so sweet how they stayed so close, like sister and brother, during all the years.
In 1994 we finally meet you after a very eventful year for Björn, when I, Susanne and Per, my mom and dad, came to visit you in Sylva and spend a wonderful week over July 4th.
Later, as I moved to the United States, both I and Rebecca were very grateful to have you all so close and to be able to visit you more often and talk about family and memories with you and Björn and Karen.
I am very happy to call Björn my great uncle and very sad I shall not see him for some time.
With love and affection
Jan Gloersen
Grandson of Lillemor, born in West Point, Virginia, July 18, 1915