Individual Details

Death

Leonard S. Tromp, 83, of Hinsdale, owner of Suburban Moving and Storage, died of cancer Sunday, April 7, in his home. Mr. Tromp was born and raised on Chicago's West Side, living above Jackson Moving and Storage Co. His father, an employee of the company, got Mr. Tromp a job there when he was 14 years old. That year, Mr. Tromp's father died. Mr. Tromp continued to work to help his mother and three older sisters. He graduated from Austin High School and continued working for Jackson until he was drafted when he was in his late 20s, said his daughter Elizabeth Little. "He served in the Navy as a radio operator on the USS Sarasota, where he viewed the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima," Little said. After World War II, Mr. Tromp married Elizabeth Jean Herrgott in 1948 and they raised eight children. In 1954 they moved to the western suburbs, first to Elmhurst, then to La Grange. They settled in Hinsdale in 1989. In 1968, Mr. Tromp and his partner, John Sorenson, founded Suburban Moving and Storage in Downers Grove. The company was an agent for United Van Lines. Today, the company employs 100 people, Little said. Mr. Tromp took over ownership of the company when Sorenson died in 2000. "Whenever anyone had a problem or needed help--if it was an employee of family member--he was the man that was there," said his daughter Joan. "It was just in his nature. He didn't see any other way except to be kind," she said. Mr. Tromp also served as an officer of the Chicago Moving Association and was a member of Lombard Christian Reformed Church. Other survivors include four daughters, Mary Ellen Middleton, Denise Brennan, Patricia Gill and Virginia Tromp-Lovecky; two sons, Leonard and Peter; 22 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Visitation beginsat 11 a.m. Wednesday in Lombard Christian Reformed Church, 2020 S. Meyers Rd. Services will be held at noon in the church.