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Walter Andrew Netsch Jr.

Walter Netsch Obituary

Netsch Jr., Walter Andrew Walter Andrew Netsch, Jr., B. Arch., M.I.T. Class of 1943, renowned architect, 88, passed away peacefully at home June 15, 2008. Beloved husband of 44 years to Dawn Clark Netsch, fond uncle of Andrew D. (Pamela) Kerr of Wilmette, Elizabeth Nan Kerr of Mt. Prospect and William S. Kerr III of Topanga, CA; grand-uncle of Andrew D. (Lindsey) Kerr, Jr. and Mathias S. Kerr. Preceded in death by his parents, Walter Andrew Netsch, Sr. and Anna Calista Netsch (nee Smith) and one sister, Nan (the late William S. II) Kerr. A memorial service is being held Monday July 7, 4 p.m., at The Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: "University of Illinois Foundation for the Walter A. Netsch Scholarship Fund" Attn: Ross Crampton, U.I.C. College of Architecture and the Arts, 303 Jefferson Hall, 929 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL, 60607-7038. Arrangements by: Cremation Society of Illinois, 773-281-5058.

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Published by Chicago Sun-Times from Jun. 22 to Jun. 24, 2008.

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5 Entries

Margaret Carroll

July 13, 2008

To Dawn Clark Netsch and other family members: Please accept my deepest sympathy. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I always enjoyed talking with Walter. He was only too happy to share his fascination with the world. His spirit will remain with us.

Margaret Carroll,
Chicago Tribune retiree

Fr. Richard Thibodeau

July 7, 2008

In the name of everyone at St. Michael in Old Town Church I wish to express our deep sympathy and tremendous gratitude to Walter as well as Dawn for their wonderful support for our church. Even though they are of a different faith tradition, both have been wonderful supporters of our mission. Our prayers continue for Walter as he now enters the Father's House, an architectural marvel wonderful to behold, and we remember Dawn in our hearts during this time of Walter's passing.

Rita Samuelson

June 24, 2008

I never met Walter Netsch but my mother did. They shared her very first airplane flight when she was in her sixties. She was afraid of flying but my brother was ill and in the hospital so she really had no choice. Mr. Netsch bought her a drink, calmed her fears and talked to her the whole time. She never forgot his kindness. She was espcially impressed because she said that he didn't try to impress her. She didn't even know that he was anyone important until she showed his business card to my brother. We all felt that it was a wonderful thing that she sat next to him because, after that, she was never afraid to fly again and enjoyed flying on planes into her 80s.

Darlene DeGrazio-Edwards

June 22, 2008

Dear Dawn Clark-Netsch, My sincere condolences on the passing of your dear husband. I worked for you at the law school for six years and I know how very much you loved your Walter. He was a very kind man to everyone, and his architecture is his wonderful legacy, which will always stand. My very best to you at this difficult time, Darlene DeGrazio-Edwards

Gary Johnson

June 22, 2008

I would like to offer my personal memories of Walter Netsch as a civic leader. As a lawyer in the 1970s, my colleagues and I at the law firm of Mayer, Brown & Platt had filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging unfair distribution of Chicago Park District programs, personnel and facilities. After Harold Washington became Mayor, he appointed Netsch to the board of the CPD, and Netsch became President. Netsch hired us to assist the CPD in working to rectify the very imbalances that we had opposed in court. Those were heady days, working with Walter, who displayed his characteristic energy and emotion as we strategized about how to turn ideals into reality. He was tireless in his dedication to equality for the CPD and he was utterly fearless. I am very proud of the direction that the Chicago Park District has taken since that time. It truly is one of the glories of our city, but let us never forget that the commitment to serving all of our peoples and all of our communities was given a terrific boost by Walter Netsch -- a great architect, and a great civic leader. Gary T. Johnson, President, Chicago History Museum

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