John Rabchuk honored for Fox River volunteer work
When asked about his to-do list for the Fox River, John Rabchuk just laughed.
The work, he said, will never end.
That type of attitude prompted the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles to honor Rabchuk, 70, with its Golden Turtle award for a lifetime of contributions to the city. Specifically, he's been critical in pushing forward many of the initiatives up and down the Fox River.
Rabchuk, a member of the River Corridor Foundation's board of directors for more than a decade, was surprised with the news at the start of a recent Zoom meeting. When he logged on, Rabchuk was greeted by the images of St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina and several aldermen in addition to the foundation officers.
Humbled by the honor, Rabchuk remains focused on the many projects he hopes to achieve along the river, which he considers an untapped gem in the city.
"I have never understood why towns like St. Charles don't utilize their river and river frontage to a greater extent," Rabchuk said. "It's one of the biggest assets we have, if not the biggest."
Rabchuk and his wife, Cheryl, have been active in the community since moving to St. Charles in 1976. Rabchuk was a president of the Kiwanis and vice chairman of the St. Charles Comprehensive Plan Task Force in 2013, the same year he ran for mayor against Rogina.
Rabchuk spearheaded many projects along the Fox River including the Bob Leonard Walkway and, most recently, Project Daffodil.
"I've been involved in a number of city groups and activities because I like to be involved with the community," Rabchuk said. "That community spirit is something that's always driven my wife and I."
Among future projects planned for Rabchuk, who is retired from the financial services industry, is work around Langum Park and reigniting interest in the Active River Project, which would add numerous recreational opportunities to the Fox River.
The to-do list marches on.
"There's always stuff," Rabchuk said with a laugh. "We'll just keep working at it."