Bill Ahlborn
—Outstanding Alumnus of 2020
Bill’s love of travel started with World War II when he was sent to Europe. There he received the Purple Heart for action in the Battle of the Bulge. Bill’s first career was in Journalism. Then he worked as a civilian employee for the U.S. Air Force at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, as well as overseas. When Bill’s career with the Air Force ended in the 1970s, he decided to sample a variety of Crafton courses in hopes of finding something to keep him active during his retirement years. That led to his teaching not only at Crafton, but at Cal State Fullerton and Orange Coast College. After he stopped teaching, he continued to give lectures and lead desert field trips. Also, for 10 years, he was a guest lecturer with various cruise lines. Bill gives Crafton all the credit for inspiring him to share his knowledge and love for Geography, Geology, Weather and Climate, and deserts all around the world. Bill has now visited 150 countries, all 50 states, all seven continents, approximately 140 possessions and enclaves, and well over 400 National Park units.
