Former St. Charles alderman, champion of roadways posthumously awarded honorary street sign

A visionary for roadways in St. Charles is being honored posthumously by the community he served for several decades.

The city is bestowing an honorary street sign to Gus Enzenbacher, a former alderman for 16 years, and tireless advocate and volunteer who was involved with the St. Charles Jaycees, scouting and the American Legion.

Enzenbacher died at the age of 87 in 2018.

The honorary street sign will be placed at the intersection of Dean Street and 15th Street. Enzenbacher was nominated by his daughter, Leanne DeZutel.

The location of Dean Street takes special significance because Enzenbacher was instrumental in gaining support for its widening in the mid-1980s to enable St. Charles to continue growing.

To win backing for the project, Enzenbacher spent countless hours meeting with neighbors and property owners along the roadway to find the best path forward.

Enzenbacher served on the city council from 1980 to 1996.

“His love of the city never wavered,” DeZutel said in her submission to the city. “He proudly served as alderperson (making) many contributions to the city including serving as chairman for the electrical committee, vice chairman of the judiciary committee, vice chairman of health and safety, and board member of the neighborhood improvement association.”

Following his death, Enzenbacher was described by city officials as a tenacious advocate for the community and a “bridge-builder.” That description took on extra meaning as Enzenbacher became a major advocate for the Red Gate Road bridge project across the Fox River.

“This was his community and he made sure he was a strong guardian of the community in every facet,” former St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina previously said.

When Enzenbacher first moved to St. Charles in 1957, he ran a television repair business from his residence. He previously served as an Army drill sergeant during the Korean War.

Later in life, he served on the St. Patrick Catholic Church school board and the parish council. He worked as the head of the maintenance department.

Enzenbacher joins one of St. Charles’ most transformative figures, Edward J. Baker, who recently received an honorary street sign.

The city approved “Col. Edward J. Baker Way” on Fourth Avenue, between East Main Street and Cedar Avenue. The location was chosen between Baker Memorial Park and Baker United Methodist Church, two of his many contributions to the city.

The city is designating up to five honorary streets each year, with one potentially selected from each ward.

“We want to inspire wonderful debates and discussions for who should be honored,” city staff said during an April meeting.

Any resident can make a recommendation, but all applications must be sponsored by an alderperson from that ward. Final approvals are made by the city council. Each street is subject to one block area.

Each honorary street sign will remain in place for 20 years.