His legacy found in many area buildings

Carl E. Hundrieser's handprint can be seen across the suburbs.

The commercial architect had a hand in designing everything from additions to Northwest Community Hospital and the Lutheran Home, in Arlington Heights to St. Hubert Church and school in Hoffman Estates, and the former Sacred Heart of Mary High School and its neighboring St. Colette Catholic Church in Rolling Meadows.

Perhaps his biggest legacy, however, is developing the original master plan for the village of Hoffman Estates, as the first chairman of its plan commission.

Mr. Hundrieser passed away Monday after a long illness. The 30-year resident of Hoffman Estates, and more recently 22-year resident of Arlington Heights, was 80.

Mr. Hundrieser earned his architectural engineering degree at the former Chicago Technical College and began his career working for firms in the city. However, in 1956, he and his wife, Patricia, moved out to Hoffman Estates, three years before the village incorporated.

One year after incorporation, Mr. Hundrieser accepted the role of leading the plan commission. During his first two years alone, the village would annex some 2,000 acres, including what are now Winston Knolls, Westbury and the Paul Douglas Forest Preserve. Annexations more than doubled the incorporated land area by 1962.

"There were many, many farms that were being developed, and Carl was on top of that," says Laurel Graham of Schaumburg, who served as secretary on the board. "We worked from the master plan, that he had helped shape."

Professionally, Mr. Hundrieser opened an office in Arlington Heights, working first with Bill Neuberger and later Joseph McCarthy. They specialized in church work, including on Mundelein College and several Catholic parishes in Chicago.

Mr. Hundrieser's firm later helped with additions to St. Mary's Church in Buffalo Grove and St. Theresa's Church in Palatine, as well as renovations to Prospect and Forest View high schools.

Over the years, his firm helped to shape the main campus of Northwest Community Hospital, with its outpatient pavilion and a doctors office building, as well as its remote emergency centers in Buffalo Grove and Schaumburg.

"Carl had a way of listening to people and solving their problems, and not forcing his designs on people," said his longtime partner, Frank Gutowsky of Arlington Heights. "That was particularly important with hospital work, because there were so many skilled disciplines involved. He really delved into what they wanted -- and needed."

A couple of the firm's last projects before closing six years ago were building the snack bar at Melas Park in Mount Prospect and the renovation of the Daily Herald office center in Arlington Heights.

Mr. Hundrieser is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia, as well as his children Thomas (Elaine) of Wheaton, Nancy Hundrieser of Elk Grove Village and David (Denise) of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; and three grandchildren.

Visitation will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. today at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road before a 9:30 a.m. funeral Mass on Saturday at Our Lady of the Wayside Church, 440 S. Mitchell Ave., both in Arlington Heights.