Ronald Christensen Memorial on Saturday

A memorial service for Ronald Christensen, 77, who passed away last Saturday, will be held at at 11:30 a.m., according to Northbrook Rotary. 

Christensen died of natural, heart-related causes, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. He was in the hospital for injuries incurred during a fight last Thursday. 

A member of Northbrook Rotary and The Northbrook Civic Foundation, Christensen dedicated himself to serving others in the community. 

“He never asked for anything in return, just quietly made donations every year and did it with a smile,” said Patrick Crown, President of the Northbrook Civic Foundation. “He’s just a person who has always been around the community, and always helped and did what he could to better the community.”

Christensen's generosity extends across Northbrook. As the owner of , Christensen provided free coffee to village hall, the historical society and the 4th of July pancake breakfast. 

“The whole association is heart broken," said Sharon Latek, a chair in the 4th of July Association. According to Judy Hughes, president of the Northbrook Historical Society, “he’s done that since they did the first breakfast, I think it was in 1976.” 

A moment of silence was held during Tuesday's Board of Trustees meeting. 

“Some of us up here have lost a personal friend this weekend in Ron Christensen, but I think that the whole community has lost someone who has been extremely supportive," Village President Sandy Frum said at the meeting. 

Christensen joined the Northbrook Civic Foundation in 1993 and elected president in 1999. He was a year away from earning a lifetime membership the foundation awards after 20 years. 

He was also Rotary Club president from 1979 to 1980.