Former Gurnee mayor remembered as a visionary
Former Gurnee Mayor Richard Welton is being remembered as a visionary who helped shape not just that village but the landscape of Lake County and the broader suburbs.
Welton, who led Gurnee from 1973 to 2001, died Friday morning. He was 72.
In his 28 years as mayor, Welton oversaw the development of Six Flags Great America, Gurnee Mills, numerous housing developments and the tremendous expansion of the village. Gurnee officials said in a statement that the village's size and population doubled during his time in office.
Current Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik said she was deeply saddened by Welton's death. When asked to describe her predecessor's legacy, she pointed to the whole town.
"When we were together, I'd tell him, 'Dick, you built it, I'm just taking care of it," Kovarik said.
But Welton's reach extended beyond Gurnee's borders. He also worked with the Lake County Joint Action Water Agency, helping to bring Lake Michigan drinking water to more of the North and Northwest suburbs, and with agencies dealing with stormwater and transportation issues across the suburbs.
Most recently, he'd been a member of the Pace Suburban Bus Service board.
"He was one of the guys who really made Lake County Lake County," said Suzi Schmidt, a former state senator and Lake County Board member who worked with Welton on countless projects.
Schmidt praised Welton as being dependable and dedicated to Gurnee and the county.
"He was really tuned into the area," said Schmidt, of Lake Villa.
Welton grew up in Gurnee when it was a tiny rural community.
He graduated from Warren Township High School in 1961 and from Carthage College in Wisconsin in 1965.
After college, Welton managed the Welton's Food Mart in Gurnee and developed the store into a five-location chain.
Welton was appointed to the Gurnee village board in 1971. When he was elected mayor two years later, he was 30 - and the youngest mayor in Illinois at the time.
Last year, the village honored Welton with plans to turn village-owned land near the Des Plaines River into a public space called the Richard A. Welton Village Plaza.
Plans include rain gardens, perennial plants, seating and bronze markers indicating Gurnee milestones and Welton's contributions.
"Without his vision and determination, Gurnee would not be what it is today," said Lake County Board member Steve Carlson, of Gurnee. "He was a gentleman to all, gracious but effective. He always had the best interests of the village at heart. He will be missed. He will be remembered."
A wake is set for 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Gurnee Community Church, 4555 Old Grand Ave. A funeral is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church.
Interment will follow at Warren Cemetery.
Welton's survivors include his wife, Debby; four sisters; two brothers; five children; and seven grandchildren.
Instead of flowers, donations can be sent to a fund for the Welton Village Plaza. Checks can be made out to the village and mailed to Village of Gurnee, 325 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee, Ill., 60031.