James McIlrath Obituary

McIlrath, James A. age 87, of Park Ridge, IL, and Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, beloved husband of Betty (Duke); loving father of Ann (Drake); fond son of the late Roy E. McIlrath and the late Marjorie (Kerr); fond brother of the late Roy E. McIlrath, Jr., passed away July 27th due to complications from heart surgery in Rochester, MN. Born February 28, 1920 in Chicago, grew up in Wilmette, and graduated New Trier High School. Received Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Iowa State University, active in Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Began career in logistics in Army Corps of Engineers, working in France to help rebuild transportation and water systems at the close of WWII, achieving the rank of major. Worked at the Glidden Company as production superintendent of Soya products division. Joined U.S. Cold Storage Corporation as general manager of Chicago operations. Founder of Dry Storage Corporation, a public warehousing company first located in Chicago's stockyard's district in 1960, which subsequently grew into and became DSC Logistics, an integrated logistics and supply chain management company, headquartered in Des Plaines, IL. Always active in service and industry organizations, he was chairman of the International Warehouse Logistics Association (and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in 2003), member of Board of Directors of the Transportation Data Coordinating Committee in Washington, D.C., director of Illinois Association of Merchandise Warehousemen, director of United Methodist Home, member of Board of Directors of The First State Bank and Trust of Park Ridge, Illinois, and member of Board of Directors of Royal Palm Country Club, Boca Raton, Florida. A memorial service will be held September 14th at Saint Mary's Episcopal Church (847-823-4126), 306 S. Prospect, Park Ridge, at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's memory may be made to the James A. McIlrath Memorial, Kratochvil Fund (TKE), Iowa State University, 2505 Elwood Drive, Ames, IA 50010. For more information, please contact Kate Vincek at 847-635-4450 or [email protected].