Namesake of Rakow Road dies

The next time you shave a few minutes off your evening commute by taking Rakow Road, thank James R. Rakow.

Rakow, the namesake of the road that serves as a shortcut between Route 31 and Randall Road, died on Friday after a struggle with Parkinson's disease. As McHenry County's superintendent of roads for more than 24 years, Rakow worked tirelessly to improve the county's roads and bridges.

Although he worked for years on the project that ultimately bore his name, he was humbled and surprised when the county board chairman named the road in his honor, recalled his wife of 23 years, Phyllis Walters.

“I think over 40,000 cars use that road every day,” Walters said. “It's a wonderful shortcut from one place to another. It saves a lot of time for a lot of people.”

“I go past it at least twice a day,” she added. “Every time I go by, I throw him a couple of kisses.”

Rakow was born in Elgin in 1928 and, except for a four-year stint in the Navy during the Korean War era, did not stray far from his birthplace.

He graduated from Elgin High School in 1949 before obtaining a degree in engineering from Bradley University in Peoria.

After getting his degree, Rakow, who had worked with his father as a surveyor since he was 11 years old, joined his father's business and worked there for 15 years before becoming roads superintendent.

As roads superintendent, Rakow was responsible for the upkeep of more than 200 miles of county roads. Among the projects he helped build or renovate were the Fox River bridges at Pearl Street, Charles Miller Road and Rawson Bridge Road.

When he wasn't worrying about the condition of the roads in McHenry County or the safety of his workers, Rakow enjoyed golf, crossword puzzles, Chicago sports and traveling.

“He was a very strong and active man with his twinkly blue eyes and his smile,” his wife said. “He was a true gentleman in every way. I'll just keep on throwing kisses at Rakow Road.”

Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176), Crystal Lake. The visitation will continue on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the services at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Burial with military honors will follow at the Algonquin Cemetery.