Des Plaines Historical Society plants living memory to Richard Gravesmill

Researching history and parks were Richard Gravesmill's two passions in life.

In a tribute to his life's work, representatives of the Des Plaines Park District and the Des Plaines Historical Society on Friday planted a Crimson King Maple tree in Gravesmill's memory at the Kinder House, 781 Pearson St.

Gravesmill, Des Plaines Park District superintendent of finance from 1981 to 2001 and a longtime Des Plaines History Center volunteer, died last fall while on a trip to Salt Lake City to research his own German/Scottish genealogy at the Mormon archives.

"He was passionate about his own Scottish heritage," said John Burke, historical society board president. "He died doing what he loves to do, (researching) history."

Burke said Gravesmill would have loved Friday's Arbor Day ceremony because there was Scottish music playing in the background.

Gravesmill, 80, lived in Des Plaines for about 45 years. He first became involved with the historical society as the park district's liaison and remained as its treasurer even retiring from the park district in 2001.

"He was very enthusiastic of our mission," Burke said. "He just brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm to what we were doing at the historical society. We're very sorry to lose him. He was such a presence."

Gravesmill also served on the Des Plaines Special Events Commission and co-chaired the Fourth of July festivities, including the parade and fireworks. He organized the Fourth of July parade every year for roughly five years.

"We just thought that a tree was an appropriate memorial, and the location of the tree, that's where the Fourth of July parade ends every year so they will be walking past his tree," Burke said.