Today we’re remembering friends of the Riverwalk for many years of dedication

Above / Back in 2010, Riverwalk Commissioners Rick Hitchcock, Chuck Papanos, Bill Epp and Jeff Havel took many Fridays to identify all the assets along the Riverwalk from Hillside Road to Jefferson Avenue. Still today, the document helps to keep care and maintenance plans in check and on schedule. (PN File Photo)

Chuck Papanos was recognized for his passionate, mission-driven dedication when he retired as North Parks and Riverwalk Operations Manager for the Naperville Park District in April 2020.

On July 29, Riverwalk Administrator Jan Erickson notified a large community of Riverwalk devotees with news that our friend and colleague had died earlier in the day after a long illness.

“Chuck was a cancer warrior, fighting lymphoma for the last few years, traveling to Mayo to receive treatments,” emailed Erickson. “He never complained and continued to find hope. He will continue to live in my heart as a dear friend.”  

Chuck Papanos first came to the Naperville Park District in 2001.

A familiar face to many folks who frequent the Riverwalk, Papanos oversaw the care and maintenance of the community’s natural treasure as well as all of Naperville Park District’s northern parks. His many responsibilities included being sure folks who were organizing special events had what they needed on time, every time. Consider the Healing Fields of Flags on Rotary Hill, Little League games in Centennial Park and concerts in Central Park, just to name a few.

As Riverwalk Operations Manager he also served as the Naperville Park District’s staff liaison on the City of Naperville Riverwalk Commission, the Millennium Carillon Foundation until it dissolved, and the Jaycees’ Last Fling Committee. 

Papanos was known for his early morning walks all along the Riverwalk, and sometimes over the years, I was fortunate to catch up with him. We both shared our appreciation for the natural treasure and its can-do story of volunteer spirit that has connected thousands of residents since the Riverwalk was first imagined as the City’s sesquicentennial gift to mark the city’s first 150 years in 1981.

Our condolences go to Chuck Papanos’ wife, Anne Marie. Arrangements will be shared when they become available.

—Stephanie Penick

Heartfelt reflections that connect two Riverwalk champions

This is a tough week for those of us who have had the privilege to work on the Riverwalk. We lost Hal Dickson on Tuesday and Chuck Papanos on Wednesday – and besides their coincidental passing, they share another, little known connection. 

 

Hal was a grace-filled man who, following his retirement from Pillsbury, accepted the challenge to manage the construction of the Sequicentennial Riverwalk. A thoughtful and soft-spoken man, Hal was cast in the unenvious position of taking direction from some of Naperville’s powerful titans including Larry Gregory, Dick Wehrli, Chet Rybicki and, of course, Jim Moser, our first Riverwalk Commission Chairman. Somehow Hal survived and even thrived the shark tank to create the most important public improvement in Naperville’s long and successful history. Along the way, he taught a 28 year-old landscape architect how to set aside his ego and play nice in the sandbox with the big boys. Surely, Hal was one of the more influential people in my career. 

 

Hal rarely stood in the spotlight, but when he did, he gushed with heartfelt pride about the uncommon and now legendary story behind the construction of the Riverwalk – a story that in 1981 included Chuck Papanos.

 

In 1981, Chuck managed a landscape nursery in Ottawa, Illinois, just west of Route 71, slightly north of I-80. Most of the trees and shrubs that created instant impact when the Sesquicentennial Riverwalk was dedicated in 1981 came from Chuck’s nursery. He and I spent hours personally selecting trees that could keep Chairman Moser happy (a tall order) and survive a brutal, out-of-season summer transplant (a very tall order). You can’t even imagine the extraordinary measures that Chuck put into digging and holding the trees so they would look perfect on dedication day. 

 

Losing Chuck to cancer is a terrible loss for family and friends, and a special loss for the Riverwalk community. Sure, the Riverwalk was central to his job, but behind the scenes, just as he had done in 1981, Chuck put his back into the Riverwalk when they (Chuck and the Riverwalk) were reunited, 20 years later. He cared deeply about the Riverwalk history, the asset, the brand, and the countless people who, unknowingly, enjoyed the fruits of his dedicated labor. He collaborated selflessly with other Riverwalk leaders, but he never stood in the spotlight. 

 

Chuck was Best Man when Jan and I were married. I got to work, vacation and even float down the Fox River with Chuck. It was a wonderful and memorable journey that has ended too soon. 

 

Today, Hal and Chuck share the warm glow of God’s eternal spotlight honoring their quiet but mighty contributions to our beloved Riverwalk. 

—Rick Hitchcock