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By Ellen Shubart, Class of 2006

Along the Riverwalk, where it intersects with Field Drive, workers recently found a plaque honoring a Carl Strohm. It was near another plaque honoring Joanne Alter, one of the first women to serve on the Sanitary District, today’s Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). The Strohm plaque was brought to the attention of Michelle Woods, Riverwalk project manager for the city.

Michelle wondered: Who was Carl Strohm? Did the CAC docents know?

While the Riverwalk docents did not know, we sent memos to docents who love to dig deep in research, as well as to anyone who might have an inkling about Carl. It was Pris Mims, Co-Tour Director of the Aqua, Vista, and Lakeshore East Tour (which includes portions of the Riverwalk) who tracked down the answer.

Pris thought a plaque calling a portion of the Riverwalk “Carl Strohm Terrace” might date to 1991, when the MWRD installed the plaque for Alter and, across the Chicago River, the fountain in honor of long-time president of the MWRD, Nicholas Melas. And she was correct.

Reaching out to the MWRD, Pris learned that Carl Strohm was the leader of a team of MWRD staff that worked with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District to create the initial stretch of the Riverwalk, between Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive. According to MWRD staffer and author Dick Lanyon, “This narrow strip was a forgotten place, overgrown with weeds and woody plants, also containing various materials dumped by unknown persons over the years.”

According to Lanyon, “You can imagine the difficulties that Carl had in working with the various interests and partners on this innovative project. Not all were convinced that a river walk and bike path would be used or appreciated, but Carl had vision and was supported by MWRD top management. The project was one of the first uses of MWRD biosolids to enrich lifeless soils in the city.”

Diagnosed with cancer, Strohm’s failing health prevented him from finishing the project. But he did see his vision becoming a reality. The monument memorialized Strohm’s role.

Well, the mystery is now solved. Visitors to the Chicago Riverwalk can be grateful for people like Carl Strohm, who could envision what others couldn’t, and who helped pave the way for one of Chicago’s most  popular destinations.

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The following is a Memorial Resolution passed by MWRD when Strohm died:

MEMORIAL RESOLUTION Sponsored By: Commissioner Nancy Drew Sheehan WHEREAS, our dear colleague and friend, CARL STROHM, departed this life on March 25, 1992; and WHEREAS, Carl was first employed by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago as a summer worker in 1969 and subsequently rose through the ranks of the District’s civil service to become a Principal Environmental Planner; and WHEREAS, Carl is survived by his loving wife Linda and his two sons Christopher, age 14 and Jason, age 12; and WHEREAS, Carl graduated from Lane Technical High School and studied at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and Illinois Institute of Technology, where he graduated with a masters degree in city and regional planning; and WHEREAS, he was an active member of numerous professional organizations and held office therein including that of treasurer of the American Public Works Association; and WHEREAS, Carl’s imagination and tenacity were accompanied by such a spirit of teamwork that every District Department regarded Carl as the key player in essential District projects; and WHEREAS, Carl’s spirit, faith and broad smile, displayed in the face of adversity, served as a comfort and inspiration for each of us; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, for ourselves and staff, extend our sympathy and condolences to the family of Carl Strohm, and express our sadness and sense of loss at his passing; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be presented to his wife, Mrs. Linda Strohm and that a copy of same be spread upon the Record of Proceedings of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Dated this 2nd day of April, 1992. Approved: NICHOLAS J. MELAS