Roger Duane Ahlberg

Roger Duane Ahlberg, age 79, passed away on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. He was born on January 16, 1942 in Worthington, MN to Warner Bertol Ahlberg and Emma Amelia (Ehlers) Ahlberg. Roger was a 1960 graduate of Worthington (MN) Senior High School. After graduation, Roger moved to Chicago, IL where he attended DeVry Technical Institute. Upon completion of that program, Roger was hired by the Bell Systems in Columbus, Ohio. Roger began taking classes at THE Ohio State University, where he received both a Bachelors and a Master’s degree in electrical engineering, graduating Summa Cum Laude and number 1 in his class from the College of Engineering.
Roger had a long career with Western Electric/AT&T/Lucent Technologies in Columbus, Chicago, and Detroit. Even though he was the project manager for the first AT&T cell phone while working in Chicago, Roger never owned one after they caught on!
After his retirement, Roger at first volunteered and then was employed by the Pickerington Local School District for several years, tutoring math, working with credit recovery in math, and just generally helping out. Roger’s favorite moment was when a student told him, “I never understood math until I worked with you.”
Roger loved his family. He was known as "Grumpy" to the grandchildren, even though his real personality was the exact opposite.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Duke and Peggy Curnutte; brothers-in-law, Norman Carlson and Mike Curnutte.
Surviving are his wife of 44 years, Margaret Ann (Maggie Curnutte) Ahlberg; children, Christina Marie (Jason) Connelly, Jacqueline Irene Ahlberg, Kyle Patrick Ahlberg; grandchildren, Mikayla Oliver, Ryan Oliver, Leila Connelly, and Paulina Connelly; sisters, Eunice (Jack) Sliver, and Sandra Carlson; brother and sister-in-law, Phil and Jackie Favorito; sister-in-law, Terry Wiegmann; his niece, Carly Favorito who adored Roger and made him Tik-Tok famous; several nieces, nephews, and cousins that he felt close to even though distance kept them from seeing each other very often.
Friends may visit 9:30 am until time of service at 11 am on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the DWAYNE R. SPENCE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 650 W. Waterloo St., Canal Winchester.
Roger was not only an Ohio State graduate but an avid Buckeye fan, so please wear your Buckeye gear and join us for a celebration of Roger’s life and Buckeye football at Shirky’s Pizza Zone, 70 E. Canal St., Carroll, OH 43112 immediately following the service.
If you wish to donate in Roger’s memory, charities suggested are Autism Speaks, BrockStrong Foundation, FairHoPe Hospice, or the Alzheimer’s Association.