Robert J. Wehrli, 82, coach, All-American football player

Robert J. Wehrli was born in the Pre-Emption House, a historicNaperville hotel and tavern owned by his family. An All-State and All-American football star and a World War II Navy hero, he was theoldest of 13 children.

"My father gave me a strong sense of honor and determination thathas been central to my life as well as those of my husband and ourchildren," his daughter, Kimbeth Judge, said.

Mr. Wehrli died Aug. 27 of old-age complications at EdwardHospital in Naperville. He was 82.

"A great warrior has passed onto other hallowed grounds," his son,Michael Wehrli, said. "He was a warrior-leader whose causes as ateacher and coach, family man, athlete and naval officer will becarried on by thousands of us within his watch, for whom he showedand urged a commitment to strength and success."

Mr. Wehrli had a 37-year career in high school sports as anathlete and coach. As a running back at Naperville High School, hewas named to the 1935 All-State football team. He went on to receivea football scholarship to the University of Illinois, where he wascoached by legendary Robert Zuppke.

The coach called Mr. Wehrli "one of the best halfbacks we everhad."

Under Zuppke, Mr. Wehrli starred as varsity halfback for threeyears, earning All-American recognition in 1939. After teaching andcoaching high school in Iowa for one year, Mr. Wehrli accepted thepost of football coach at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

In 1942, he received a naval officer's commission to serve as a PTboat captain and squadron commander in the Aleutian Islands and thePhilippines. In 1945, Mr. Wehrli earned a Silver Star for heroism forleading four PT boats in a close-range attack against a Japanesesuicide boat hideout in Batangas Bay, Luzon in the Philippines.

After the war, Mr. Wehrli returned to Oak Park High, where heserved successfully as head varsity football coach and varsity golfcoach. He chaired the physical education department in 1970 andretired in 1977.

After retirement, Mr. Wehrli moved back to Naperville-a communityrich in family history that reaches back to 1844, when his great-grandfather Toussaint Hiltenbrand settled there.

"My husband loved to play golf," said Beverly Wehrli. "He wouldplay three times a week after he retired. He loved to be with hisfour grandchildren. He enjoyed travel, domestic or foreign. We touredEurope, Mexico, and Caribbean islands."

Other survivors are two greatgrandchildren and 10 brothers andsisters.

A mass will be said at 11 a.m. Thursday ; at Saints Peter andPaul Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville. Burial will be private.