Mount Prospect bids longtime village engineer a fond farewell

Jeff Wulbecker may not be a household name, but he has impacted every household in Mount Prospect.

Residents can thank Wulbecker for his integral role in the many projects that have kept the streets, sidewalks and sewers maintained, the streetlights lit, and basements dry.

With abundant humor and affection, village leaders said goodbye this week to Wulbecker, who is retiring after 31½ years as village engineer.

Mayor Paul Hoefert read a proclamation recognizing Wulbecker's accomplishments, from his work as a proponent of the National Flood Insurance Program to his contributions to the Levee 37 flood relief project. Overall, he was instrumental in the development and construction of more than $20 million in stormwater management projects.

He also played a key role in the creation and rollout of the village's backyard drainage program for homeowners dealing with flooding.

"I think what's noteworthy about your career is the difference you made in the quality of life of the Mount Prospect residents, the 54,000 or so people who live in this town," Trustee John Matuszak said.

Wulbecker, a Mount Prospect native who grew up across the street from what is now village hall, put his dry sense of humor on display during his farewell before the village board Tuesday.

When Hoefert noted that Wulbecker had served the village about eight years longer than he, Wulbecker joked that he "came in village engineer and I'm still the village engineer."

"When I would feel like, 'Am I supposed to be advancing,' I kind of just looked at Paul Hoefert and said, 'Hey, he's still trustee,'" Wulbecker said of Hoefert. "And then you went and blew it and you got elected as mayor, and I was happy for you but really disappointed. I'm 31½ years and I'm still in the same position. How unmotivated am I?"

Public Works Director Sean Dorsey referred to Wulbecker as sometimes an older brother and a great leader.

"We've had tough times. We've had times with flooding on the Des Plaines River and record rainstorms that created all kinds of problems that required innovative attention, dealing with people.," Dorsey said. "And he has just been absolutely fantastic at being a leader."

Wulbecker will be succeeded by Matt Lawrie, a 24-year veteran of the Public Works Department.