Stanley Hollenbeck Obituary

Hollenbeck, Stanley Dean

Stanley Dean Hollenbeck passed on Feb. 7, surrounded by family and friends. Born on Dec. 31, he was proud to have made it to 80. He bravely battled uveal melanoma, a rare and aggressive cancer.

A life-long, fourth generation Chicagoan, he would declare "I grew up in the shadow of Wrigley Field". He was a writer and a public communications consultant primarily to clients involved with local governmental and political issues. His list of clients has included many Chicago Aldermen, several officials of local governments and various political parties, three Illinois Governors, two United States Congressmen and a former ambassador to the United States from Cyprus.

Stan was the Director of the City of Chicago City Council Legislative Reference Bureau for more than a decade. This bureau researched and drafted ordinances, resolutions and orders as well as analyzed and recommended policy at the request of all 50 Aldermen that comprise the City of Chicago City Council and their staff.

He served in the Chicago Public School system for more than a decade. In 1975, he authored a white paper delineating plans for the decentralization of the Chicago Board of Education that served as the educational platform for two mayoral campaigns. This research and writing was used as a basis for school reform legislation in the Illinois legislature that led to the formation of Chicago's Local School Councils.

In the Sixties, he was a Civil Rights activist who grabbed his guitar and rode the bus to Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana. In the Bayou of Louisiana, he taught literacy to assist Black voter registration. This work ended when he was beaten by the Ku Klux Klan, and, after he was released from the hospital, he returned to Chicago.

Multi-talented, he was a folk singer who performed in Chicago, New York and New Orleans. Years later, he wrote the song "Teamwork" for the legendary, "Mr. Cub", Ernie Banks who recorded it.

The connective tissue in a vast social network, he introduced people from all walks of life. Always making new friends but staying in contact with his roots.

When his wife, Anne and her friends dreamed of starting a charity, he immediately utilized his skills and creativity to facilitate its inception by navigating bureaucracy, writing grants, handling social media etc. Art Helps Heal, now in its 9th year provides art experiences to long term hospitalized teens at 8 hospitals in Chicago.

His cremated remains were mixed with Let Your Love Grow Soil. There will be a tree planting ceremony and Celebration of Life this Spring.

Stan will be greatly missed by his wife Anne, cat Oliver, sister-in-law Bonnie Spangler, nephews Ben (Aaron Goynshor), Joe Spangler, niece Dr. Jamie Spangler (Dr. Alex Fried) and countless friends.

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