Alan "Al" L. Worthington

Alan “Al” Lynn Worthington 

Devoted Husband, Father, Fisherman & Bandmate 

Alan Lynn Worthington, 71 of Rockford, IL, passed away October 14, 2024, after a courageous 2-year battle with cancer. 

Al was born September 5, 1953, in Peru, IL to Rae and Priscilla Worthington. As a young child the family moved to Rock Island, IL. When Al was in 6th grade the family moved to Rockford, IL, where he attended Lincoln Middle School and East High School. He grew up loving to fish, golf and developed a passion for music...especially rock & roll and playing guitar. Al and his friends started a band called “Sunshine,” practicing in his parent’s basement and scoring many local gigs back in the day. 

Al attended the University of Wisconsin Platteville; while earning his degree in Business Administration & Economics, he met his future wife, Karla Eastwood. During his time at UW Platteville, Al continued to play guitar in Sunshine plus served as the University’s entertainment coordinator...booking bands like Cheap Trick and comedians like George Carlin. Upon graduation in 1975, Al and Karla moved back to Rockford where he got a job with Sundstrand Aerospace. 

Al married Karla on June 3, 1978, in Middleton, WI. The two lifelong companions and best friend were blessed with two children; Emily and Eric. The family enjoyed yearly vacations in Hayward, WI where Al shared his passion for fishing and boating with his son. He also enjoyed spending time with the lifelong friends which he met along the way. 

Al spent his whole 40-year career at Sundstrand, working in several different capacities including Plant Manager and Program Director and traveling all over the world. At Sundstrand, Al enjoyed playing in the Golf League on Thursday nights and supporting an active role in Steak Club. He looked forward to the Holiday season with Steak Club, raising money for families in need and delivering gifts and food. 

Post-retirement Al spent the last 11 years traveling with Karla, they went on several cruises including a trip to Alaska, the Caribbean and Central America. They enjoyed many road trips, the most memorable being Yellowstone and seeing the sights out west. The pair also went on frequent weekend trips to visit Eric and his family in Lake Geneva and Emily in Chicago. Post-retirement Al and some of Sunshine bandmates got back together, enjoying a jam session every Wednesday in the Worthington’s basement. He also took up a hobby in woodworking, making functional furniture for the house and family. Together, Al and Karla maintained a beautiful yard and garden, he took a lot of pride in his yard and enjoyed driving his lawnmower. 

Al is survived by his wife, Karla. His children, Emily (Doug) Engler and Eric (Jennifer) Worthington; step-grandson Ashton Czarnecki; brother Jim (Polly) Worthington; brother in-laws Paul (Tess) Eastwood, Steve (Sue) Eastwood and Chuck (Beth) Eastwood; and nine nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents and infant brother Larry. 

A celebration of life will be held at Franchesco’s Ristorante, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, from 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Al's name to Steak Club or the Lymphoma Foundation.