By Woodrow Carroll
The names Clyde Tombaugh, Burt Baskin, and Russ Ahearn seem like an odd fit until you learn more about them. So, without further ado, let’s give the readers a bit of information.
Tombaugh, Baskin, and Ahearn all had strong ties to Streator, Ill. before going elsewhere to make a name for themselves.
Chronologically, we should start with Tombaugh. Tombaugh was born in Streator in 1906 and early on developed a strong interest in astronomy. Legend has it that it was a visit to the Yerkes Observatory in Lake Geneva, Wis. as a 12-year old that forever fixed Tombaugh’s interest in astronomy.
In time, Tombaugh built his own telescope and then added to it with all manner of “celestial material” if you will.
Sketches sent by Tombaugh to the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz. led to his working there. It was there, using what was called a blink comparator, Tombaugh detected the far distant planet Pluto in 1930.
Tombaugh passed away at the age of 90 in 1997. To the very end, Tombaugh maintained a strong interest in the heavens and the mysteries of outer space.
Before moving on, we need mention Tombaugh’s connection to the world of sports..
Through his youngest brother Robert, Clyde Tombaugh is the great-uncle of Los Angeles Dodgers’ Pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw’s mother Marianne was adopted by Robert Tombaugh.
It won’t take long for the name Baskin to resonate when we tack on Robbins.
Burt Baskin was born in Streator in 1913 where his father ran a clothing store. The father operated the store for 35 years and for a time it appeared that son Burt might follow in dad’s footsteps. But, that was not to be the case!
World War II reared its ugly head and service changed life around for Baskin. And, about that time, Baskin married Irv Robbins’ sister Shirley.
Brother-in-laws Baskin and Robbins found themselves in Glendale, Calif. after World War II came to an end. Each sold ice cream and related products for a time before merging to form the iconic product we have come to know for its distinctive 31 flavors. Originally, a different flavor for each day of the month. In reality, there have been upwards of 1,300 flavors purveyed by the company in various forms.
Baskin passed away at the young age of 54 in 1967. By then the brothers-in-law had crafted the art of franchising and the familiar B31R symbol had become nationally recognized.
Russ Ahearn was not born in Streator. Ahearn was born in nearby Kinsman which is 10 miles west of Streator. After first going to school in Kinsman, Ahearn attended Streator High School as a senior. And, it was there that Ahearn earned recognition as an outstanding pitcher which was Ahearn’s sport of choice at the time.
Ahearn was an assistant coach at Elgin High School in the late-1940s when word went out that Hebron High needed a basketball coach. Hebron had built up a basketball reputation in the 1930s and 1940s under coaches Lowry Crane and Ed Willett making the coaching job a desirable one in the eyes of many.
Ahearn’s first season at Hebron (1948-1949) saw the Green Giants going 14-7. Then things took off. The next three seasons found Ahearn’s charges going a combined 84-8. The final victory in that three-year run being a 64-59 overtime victory over Quincy in the 1952 Boys Championship Game. The 1952 final being the first state final to be televised.
Ahearn left Hebron after the 1953-54 season. Staying close to his roots, Ahearn coached three years at Streator Woodland before taking the coaching job at his Alma mater Streator High School. Despite posting solid records, Ahearn was only at Streator High two seasons before internal conflict set in that cost Ahearn his job.
Clyde Tombaugh, Burt Baskin, and Russ Ahearn! Three men with ties to Streator, Ill. who made a name for themselves.