Bob Blazier, giant of Crystal Lake civic life, dies at 98: ‘Always gave more than he received’

Robert Blazier – whose decadeslong, immeasurable impact on the Crystal Lake area spanned education, philanthropy, health care, business and the arts – died Thursday at 98.

Blazier’s passing came only about two months after his wife Rosemary’s; she also was a giant in Crystal Lake civic life. The couple had celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in June.

[ Photos: Bob and Rosemary Blazier, 'Mr. and Mrs. Crystal Lake' ]

Bob Blazier, often referred to as “Mr. Crystal Lake,” was a former superintendent of Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47, a former longtime Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce president and a former vice president of marketing and education for Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry (now Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital). He also was communications officer at Home State Bank.

But that barely begins to cover his imprint on the community.

He helped found the Centegra Foundation, the Raue Center for the Arts Foundation and the McHenry County College Foundation. He established the Bob Blazier Run for the Arts that benefits the Raue Center. There’s a District 47 building named for him. He even has his own bobblehead.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Blazier. For many years, Bob was not just a beloved resident of Crystal Lake, but also a colleague of ours at Home State Bank,” the bank posted on its Facebook page. “During employee trainings, he taught our team to ‘Give ‘em the PICKLE!,’ symbolizing the importance of taking the extra step, of giving more. Bob always ‘gave more’ to our community, and we are so much the better for it. It was a life well lived, and he will be dearly missed.”

Steve Slack, CEO and vice chairman of the board at Home State Bank, described Blazier as “a true gentleman that always gave more than he received in return.”

Chris Christensen has known Blazier since 2002.

“He helped change my life,” Christensen said, explaining that he was among the first members of the Crystal Lake Chamber Young Professionals, which Blazier helped start.

Christensen said Blazier also gave him the best advice: “If you take care of your community, it will take care of you.”

Mary Margaret Maule, executive director of Turning Point, an organization that helps families affected by domestic violence, was president of the Crystal Lake chamber after Blazier’s tenure in that role.

Maule recalled that when she first moved to McHenry County from Virginia and worked for the Northwest Herald, she was encouraged to meet with Blazier and get a lay of the land.

His help continued when she became the leader of the chamber. Blazier told her the core part of the chamber was advocating for small businesses; other advice he gave was to be accessible, keep an open mind and “smile and have a good time,” Maule said.

Blazier had such an impact on Maule that she modeled her leadership style after his. She said he “was the epitome” of a servant-leader. He also was “really, really big on communication” and connecting people, she said.

She recalled Blazier was behind several major initiatives in the community, including Operation Click and the McHenry County Economic Development Corp.

Michelle Stien met Blazier while working in advertising at the Northwest Herald. She said Blazier was “very kind” and recalled that after he found out she was a runner, she went on to serve on the planning committee for the Bob Blazier run.

She later was the race coordinator for Girls on the Run, an organization that promotes physical activity and building self-esteem for girls.

“He’s been a great influence,” Stien said.

She recalled that Blazier was always present and willing to help as a mentor and friend.

Tim Fraser of Fraser Wealth Management said he’s known Blazier his entire life. He’s also a relative of Blazier’s and said he always called Blazier his grandfather-in-law.

“He kind of lived the golden rule,” Fraser said.

When Fraser wanted Blazier’s help getting started in business, he recalled Blazier brought him into the chamber’s conference room and urged him to join the chamber, breaking it down.

He said he knew he wouldn’t have made it in business without Blazier’s support.

Others who provided tributes to Blazier on Friday included District 47 and the chamber.

“My heart is heavy because of the immense loss the community is experiencing with Bob’s passing. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know and have my life directly impacted by Bob and his mentorship,” District 47 Superintendent Kathy Hinz said in an email to district staff. “While I had met Bob in my early administrative years in D-47 when he dropped in occasionally on administrative meetings, he was one of the first people to reach out to me and invite me to lunch after I had been approved as the acting superintendent for D-47 in June 2013.

“His advice and mentorship over the past 12 years have been a gift to me personally; however, it is a demonstration of how he continued to give back to the community and, specifically, the youth of Crystal Lake by staying connected to District 47.”

The District 47 CORE center is named for Blazier, and Hinz concluded her message by saying: “Our thoughts are with Bob and Rosemary’s family at this time. District 47 wouldn’t be the same today without his lasting impact.”

The Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce posted on its Facebook page Friday afternoon that it was “saddened” to learn of Blazier’s passing.

“A true champion of the chamber, Bob served as president for many years, was a dedicated ambassador, and created the chamber foundation. His remarkable contributions have left a lasting legacy on both the chamber and the Crystal Lake community, impacting countless lives,” the chamber posted. “Bob’s passion, leadership and unwavering commitment will be deeply missed, but his influence will be felt for generations to come.”

A visitation for Blazier has been set from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave./Route 176 in Crystal Lake. A funeral Mass is planned for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. Interment will be private.