Ralph Pechanio receives Elmhurst’s Darrell Whistler Special Service Recognition Award

Longtime Elmhurst community leader Ralph Pechanio has been named the recipient of the 2026 Darrell Whistler Special Service Recognition Award, the city’s highest recognition for volunteer service.

An Elmhurst resident since 1970, Pechanio has spent more than 50 years engaged in civic leadership and volunteer service.

“Ralph’s commitment to Elmhurst is truly extraordinary,” Mayor Scott Levin said in a news release. “He has spent decades giving back to this community with humility, integrity, and a deep sense of purpose. His leadership and service have left a lasting mark on our city.”

Pechanio is perhaps best known for his leadership of the Elmhurst Veterans Memorial Commission, where he served as chairman for decades and played a key role in the creation of the Elmhurst Veterans Memorial, dedicated on Memorial Day in 1993.

Reflecting on his time with the commission, Pechanio once described the experience as a “singular pleasure and life-altering experience,” underscoring his deep commitment to honoring those who have served our nation.

Beyond his work with the Veterans Memorial Commission, Pechanio has been an active leader within the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry, serving on its board of directors and executive committee, as well as a longtime “green coat” ambassador.

He has also served as co-chair of the Elmhurst Memorial Day Parade Committee and is an active member of both the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst and the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187.