Volunteer's 'handprint' left across Arlington Hts.

In 2004, Arlington Heights officials paused during a village board meeting to honor one of their longest serving commissioners: George B. Hauff, who was retiring from public service after 49 years.

What had started in 1955 with his appointment to the plan commission led to 11 years in that role, followed by another 38 years on the zoning board of appeals. When he finally stopped going to meetings, he was 93.

Arlington Heights Village President Arlene Mulder used the same word then as she did on Thursday, when reflecting on his service and commitment to Arlington Heights: "Incredible."

Mr. Hauff died Monday. The longtime Arlington Heights resident was 97.

"His handprint is all over this community," Mulder said, "only he was so humble that most people wouldn't know it."

Acquaintances said Mr. Hauff always reminded people that he was not a lifelong Arlington Heights resident, but had come to the village in 1928. His wife, Dorothy Helm Hauff, was the native, whose family had a long history of public service.

However, it was little known that shortly after Mr. Hauff's family moved to Arlington Heights, his father, Nelson, served on the Arlington Heights village board for two years before waging an unsuccessful campaign for mayor.

Mr. Hauff himself began working on commissions in the 1950s, after serving in the Army during World War II, and while building his career in the commodities field.

Not only did he serve on the commissions, but he also actively worked for the Wheeling Township Republican Organization and for the Arlington Heights Historical Society. At the historical society he served on its board into his 90s, while also serving as a docent into his late 80s.

His involvement with Wheeling Township began when his wife was elected clerk 1960. Later, Mr. Hauff was one of three residents appointed to be a Wheeling Township cemetery trustee, holding the seat from 1979 to 1999.

"He was our unofficial historian," said Josephine Stellato, Wheeling Township finance director and administrator. "We called him whenever there was a question."

In the late 1970s, Mulder recalls, Mr. Hauff was one of three residents who stood in front of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library for weeks collecting signatures for a petition to establish a downtown park.

Their efforts resulted in the development of North School Park, the Arlington Heights Park District's premiere park and concert venue adjacent to its administration building.

She also points to Mr. Hauff as one of the driving forces behind the cooperative agreement reached between the village, park district, library and Arlington Heights Historical Museum, in operating the museum and its programs.

"George was the impetus," Mulder said. "Without his participation, I don't think either of those things would have happened."

Mr. Hauff was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy. He is survived by his daughter, Dorothy Carlson of Tinley Park and six nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights.