Roger Cole Marquardt

Roger Cole Marquardt was born to Jerome and Helen Marquardt on October 23, 1936 in the Village of Lombard, Illinois where Roger, a fifth generation Lombardian, called home for the first 67 years of his life. In 2007 Roger, along with his wife Judy, moved from Lombard and split their time between Galena, Illinois and Bailey's Harbor, Wisconsin. On May 9, 2012 Roger peacefully passed from this world at the age of 75 surrounded by his family. During his accomplished life, Roger wore many hats, carried with him many different nicknames and spent most of his life serving the public in many different ways. The "Chief" began his career as a Village of Lombard Police Officer where he rose to the level of Deputy Chief of Police, while volunteering his time as a Lombard Firefighter. After leaving the Lombard Police Department, Roger earned his real estate license and become the CEO of a real estate firm he created. Roger's magnetic personality and dedication to helping others earned him the honor of being appointed by his peers to the role of President of the DuPage County Board of Realtors. His selfless service to the community was widely varied, serving on advisory boards for hospitals, banks and civic organizations. He was a lifetime member of the Illinois Association Chiefs of Police. In 1981, the "Chief" was appointed as Director and CEO of the DuPage Airport Authority in West Chicago, Illinois where he continued to serve the public. Under Roger's leadership, the DuPage Airport became one of the Country's premier general aviation reliever airports. Roger held this position until Governor Jim Edgar appointed him as the Director of the Division of Aeronautics for the State of Illinois. Following his role with the Division of Aeronautics, the "Director" accepted appointment to the position of Assistant to the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation. Although no longer with the Division of Aeronautics, he continued to honor his love of aviation by serving as Chairman of the Illinois Public Airports Association. After leaving the Department of Transportation, and always looking for a challenge to conquer, "Secretary Marquardt" founded Roger C. Marquardt & Company as an independent lobbyist and consulting firm. Among the numerous honors bestowed upon Roger during his life, possibly his biggest honor came in 2002 when he was appointed to serve his hometown of Lombard in the Illinois House of Representatives earning yet another nickname, "Representative". In 2003, the Village of Lombard honored Roger by designating every December 10th from 2003 forward as "Roger C. Marquardt Day" commending his long standing loyalty and service to the people of Lombard. After retiring from the House of Representatives, Roger rejoined Roger C. Marquardt & Company and continued his lobbying career. The "Chairman" also served as Chairman of the Jo Daviess County Republican Party and managed many campaigns over the years. Roger "Chief", "Director", " Mr. Secretary", "Representative", "Chairman", "Bosser", Marquardt was a lifelong, diehard, White Sox fan and Frank Sinatra fan, which he passed on to his sons. Of all the nicknames Roger carried throughout his full life, none were more important to him than those of "Husband", "Father", "Opa" and "Friend". He will be forever missed and never forgotten.Roger was a devoted husband to his wife Judy "Hardy", a loving father to Scott "SR" (Barbara), Angela, Jerry (Christine) and Heidi "Cubby", an adoring and passionate Opa to Dale Savannah, Cassidy, Alec, Andrew, Julia, Lauren and Oscar and a loyal friend to countless others. Visitation will be Friday May 18, 2012 3-9 at Grace Lutheran Church 493 Forest Ave Glen Ellyn ILFuneral Service Saturday 19, 2012 lying in State 9 AM until time of Funeral at 11AM at the churchInterment Lombard CemeteryIf Desired Memorials to the Immanuel Lutheran Church ATTN Roger Marquardt Memorial PO Box 115 Baileys Harbor WI 54202