MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 15, 2008
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MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners extending sympathy and condolences to the family of Frank E. Dalton (As Revised)
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WHEREAS, Mr. Frank E. Dalton, former General Superintendent and Chief Engineer of the District, was called to eternal rest on May 7, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dalton was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in the Lincoln Park neighborhood before graduating from DePaul Academy; and
WHEREAS, he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in 1951 and after graduation served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers; and
WHEREAS, as a Construction Supervisor for the Army Corps of Engineers, Mr. Dalton was deployed to France where he directed the design and construction of sewers, pumping stations, roads, utilities and structures for military installations; and
WHEREAS, upon returning home, Mr. Dalton, as a civil engineer in private practice, supervised the design and construction of office buildings, warehouses, facilities for the Chicago Stockyards, bridges, pumping stations and wastewater treatment plants; and
WHEREAS, after receiving a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, Mr. Dalton accepted employment at the then Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago, a decision that would positively impact Chicagoland for years to come; and
WHEREAS, Frank’s skills, knowledge and dedication were readily apparent and led to his rapid rise through the ranks at the District, from Civil Engineer IV in 1963 to Assistant Chief Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer, Chief Engineer and ultimately to his appointment as General Superintendent in 1985; and
WHEREAS, throughout his employment at the District, Mr. Dalton became known for his innovative, creative and economical solutions for wastewater treatment, flooding and pollution control which catapulted the District into the international spotlight for projects such as SEPA Stations, a championship golf course built atop a former garbage dump which was reclaimed using District biosolids, a system of parks and open spaces along the North Shore Channel and the Cal-Sag Canal, and most notably the Deep Tunnel Project; and
WHEREAS, Superintendent Dalton was frequently recognized for his contributions to modern civil engineering including being named the Government Civil Engineer of the Year in 1988 by the American Society of Civil Engineers; being listed as one of the Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year for 1988 by the American Public Works Association; receiving the 1993 Fellows Distinguished Award of Merit by the American Consulting Engineers Council; and having the prestigious Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award bestowed upon him by his alma mater, Purdue University in 1993; and
WHEREAS, since his retirement from the District in 1995, in addition to spending more time with his family, Frank volunteered his services for more than twelve years to the Executive Service Corps of Chicago, providing business advice to non-profit organizations in the Chicagoland area; and
WHEREAS, the effects of Superintendent Dalton’s pioneering efforts in wastewater management and treatment can be seen throughout Chicagoland, the State of Illinois and the United States of America and the residents of Cook County, past, present and future, will be forever indebted to him for his commitment to public service by providing the most effective and efficient wastewater treatment and stormwater management possible; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dalton was the devoted husband to Marjorie; loving father to Daniel (Susan), Jean (Constantine), Trela, John (Renee), Anne, Matthew and the late Joseph; and cherished grandfather to Pete, Jake, Henry, Rusty, Katie, Kristina, Conner, Daniel and Aidan; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dalton came from a close-knit family and will be deeply missed by his surviving siblings, Mary (the late Thomas) Jackson, Frederick (Mary), and Thomas (Beverly); and
WHEREAS, countless people, including family and friends, mourn the passing of Frank E. Dalton, who lived a full life dedicated to making the world a better place for all through the implementation of modern civil engineering practices.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, extend our sympathy and condolences to the family of Frank E. Dalton; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the family of Frank E Dalton.
Dated: May 15, 2008
Approved: TERRENCE J. O’BRIEN, President; KATHLEEN THERESE MEANY, Vice-President; GLORIA ALITTO MAJEWSKI, Chairman, Committee on Finance; FRANK AVILA; PATRICIA HORTON; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN; CYNTHIA M. SANTOS; DEBRA SHORE; PATRICIA YOUNG Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Frederick M. Feldman, Attorney