Blaziers have blazed a trail in Crystal Lake

CRYSTAL LAKE – If you've lived in the Crystal Lake area for a while, you've probably met, or at least know of, Bob and Rosemary Blazier.

The couple have touched the lives of thousands of McHenry County residents through their work in education, business, philanthropy and faith-based organizations during the 50-plus years they’ve lived in the community.

They are well-known – and loved – for what they’ve done.

“[Bob] and Rosemary have been involved with starting, participating and expanding literally over 40 organizations in McHenry County,” said Kathleen Caldwell, chairwoman of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “They get in, they have a vision, they start [the organization], they get involved in a leadership team and then they advocate on behalf of the organization. ... It’s amazing, really amazing.”

Bob Blazier is a former superintendent of Crystal Lake Community Consolidated School District 47, a former Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce president and a former vice president of marketing and education for Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry (now Centegra Hospital – McHenry), among many other positions.

Rosemary Blazier is a former physical education teacher and counselor in District 47, former president of the Service League of Crystal Lake and former religion class instructor at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, among many other positions.

She helped found the first American Cancer Society 24-hour Walk/Run Against Cancer, now Relay For Life, in Illinois.

He helped found the Centegra Foundation; Raue Center for the Arts Foundation; McHenry County College Foundation; and more.

They believe in giving back to the community. So, they have.

And recently, the community gave back to them.

In September, the Crystal Lake Pump House – home to the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce and used by more than 75 nonprofit organizations – was renamed the Blazier Center for Community, Leadership and Commerce as part of an ongoing fundraising campaign, Caldwell said. The goal is to have 1,000 people donate $75 to become a Friend of the Blaziers. Funds will aid scholarships, programming and the work of the Chamber and Chamber foundation.

It was fitting to name the building after the Blaziers, especially since Bob helped create the Chamber foundation in 2007, in part to renovate the aging pump house, Caldwell said.

“This was part of Bob’s vision – renovating the building, having it be a really great meeting space for people to create connections and do good in the community,” she said.

“The building needed to be named after [the Blaziers],” Caldwell added. “It makes it just so much more homey and special. It’s not just a building; it’s a connection, a gathering place. It’s their living legacy.”

Core values

It’s no surprise to John Blazier that his father, with his mother’s support, has been given many accolades over the years.

“When I think of my dad and what he’s done in this community, his leadership – [like] running a school district – I just think of a man who has core values that have driven him to excel at everything he wants to do,” John Blazier said.

Bob Blazier grew up in poverty in Kewanee. His parents died when he was young, so he was raised by his sister – “a good Christian woman,” according to John Blazier – who instilled in him a strong faith in God and an inner drive to succeed.

“[He grew up believing], ‘If I’m going to go out and do anything in my life, I’ve got to do it myself,’ ” John Blazier said. “[He has always said], ‘You can do anything you put your mind to.’ ”

Bob put himself through college on an athletic scholarship, and it was at Western Illinois University that he met a young woman from Spring Valley who mirrored the values Bob had come to live by: faithfully follow God, give back to the community and empower others.

They married in 1949, only one week after graduating from WIU. That was the start of a 67-year relationship that only has become stronger over time.

“We both feel we were very fortunate to find each other because our compatibility and love is the same as when we first met,” Bob Blazier said.

Throughout the years, Bob often has been the brains behind new programs, and he often receives the praise, but Rosemary Blazier always has been his rock.

“A lot of things I did, Rosemary helped with by coming and supporting me,” Bob said. “We have lots of talks together, [and we have] excellent teamwork.”

Rosemary can’t think of any reason why she wouldn’t support her husband.

“He’s had a lot of great ideas,” she said.

While those great ideas have been long appreciated, many people respect the values of the Blaziers as much as the programs and organizations they’ve created.

“Their love of each other in their marriage and their love of their faith and their love of their community is something that we can all be inspired by,” Caldwell said. “We can live that kind of life as well. It’s the small acts of kindness and commitment that really are important.”

“They’re friendly to everybody; they’re very thoughtful when they’re involved in things,” said Bob Gray, a close friend of the Blaziers who has sat on several boards with Bob. “They bring a lot of good advice and experience to what they’re involved in, and they really care. They’re always trying to help make it better. ... There are all kinds of things they’ve started that still benefit the community today. They definitely have a lasting legacy.”

The move to Crystal Lake

Although they’re often celebrated for the work they’ve done in Crystal Lake, the Blaziers almost never made it to the northwest suburb.

For the first 13 years of their marriage, they were educators in Jacksonville, a sophisticated town of about 25,000 in the 1950s.

“We weren’t looking to move,” Bob Blazier said.

In 1962, however, he and Rosemary were recruited by the school board in Crystal Lake – then a small town of only 8,000 residents, with four elementary schools and a junior high.

They were skeptical about leaving the jobs, friends and activities they had in Jacksonville, but the Crystal Lake school board – filled with well-educated, successful individuals led by superintendent Leon Lundahl – made a lasting impression on the couple.

“We liked the people so much, and the town was just starting to expand. Things were just starting to happen,” Bob said. “The town was very proud of the schools and supportive of education. There were a lot of couples in their early 30s – our age – raising a family.”

Plus, it was a recreational community – a positive for Bob and Rosemary, both avid golfers and recreation enthusiasts.

So, they moved to Crystal Lake. Bob became principal at what now is Lundahl Middle School, and Rosemary Blazier taught physical education at what now is Husmann Elementary.

Just like that, their legacy in Crystal Lake began.

Rosemary spent 35 years in education; Bob, 36 years, including 12 years as superintendent. Bob then spent five years at the Northern Illinois Medical Center and 17 years as president of the Chamber.

Along the way, they became involved in other organizations, volunteering their time and talents and encouraging others to do the same.

“Coming from education and then getting involved in business, [Bob] has a very good way of communicating and teaching people and getting people involved in stuff, so that’s been a big bonus in the community,” Gray said. “Just about anything that’s happened in the community, he’s been involved in … and [Rosemary] has always been very supportive. She’s charming and a great lady.”

The Blazier legacy

Today, the Blazier name – and the Blaziers themselves – can be found all over Crystal Lake.

You might see Bob Blazier at Home State Bank, where he still works as director of communications. Or you could find him at a board meeting for the Crystal Lake Library Foundation, Senior Care Volunteer Network or other organizations. The best way to find Rosemary Blazier would be at St. Thomas the Apostle, where she volunteers weekly.

You might catch the Blaziers at Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center, where the pair exercises regularly.

If you still can’t find them, you’ll probably see them at the annual 5K Bob Blazier Run for the Arts that raises funds for Raue Center for the Arts.

The full reach of the Blaziers’ hard work, philanthropic natures and caring attitudes may not be fully grasped by all those who live in McHenry County and utilize the programs and organizations the couple have aided.

One thing is certain, however.

“They deserve the notoriety for everything they’ve done,” Gray said.