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* Lynn Sweet wrote a great obit of Cal Sutker. Go read the whole thing…
Calvin Sutker devoted much of his adult life to politics — as chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, Cook County commissioner, state representative, Skokie trustee — and for 33 years, the Niles Township Democratic committeeman.
But he spent his last decade speaking to community groups about his experience as a young soldier who witnessed firsthand the horror of the Dachau Nazi concentration camp in southern Germany.
“We were sickened at the ghastly spectacle of the depravity of the Nazi perpetrators,” Mr. Sutker said at a 2003 Kristallnacht observance marking the Nov. 9, 1938, night when Nazis destroyed thousands of Jewish businesses.
“He had never spoken publicly about it before that day,” said a daughter, Sharon McGowan.
A longtime Skokie resident, Mr. Sutker died Thursday morning, a few weeks before his 90th birthday, at Evanston Hospital.
Mr. Sutker met his late wife, Phyllis, when he delivered an order from his father’s Austin deli and grocery to her home — an event orchestrated by her mother. […]
Visitation will be at 12:45 p.m. and a funeral service at 2 p.m. Friday at Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation, 4500 W. Dempster St., Skokie. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery, 7801 W. Montrose, in Norridge.
You can watch Sutker talk about his experience at Dachau by clicking here.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 26, 13 @ 1:24 pm
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Nice guy. Had a real mess on his hand as party chairman when Cosentino and Quinn challenged the incumbent Donnewald, then the LaRouchies gained the ballot, dooming Adlai.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 26, 13 @ 1:59 pm
===Mr. Sutker met his late wife, Phyllis, when he delivered an order from his father’s Austin deli and grocery to her home — an event orchestrated by her mother. […]===
This line cracked me up
Comment by titan Friday, Apr 26, 13 @ 2:22 pm
My late father was in a printing unit during the war. He ended up bringing back photos from Dachau, that his group developed.
More than 65 years later, it’s still staggering to see the images. And it absolutely makes my blood boil when I hear the Holocaust deniers spouting their vile rhetoric.
Keep in mind, we are sending aid to Egypt, a country whose leaders are holocaust deniers.
Comment by Downstate Friday, Apr 26, 13 @ 2:43 pm
I met Cal during my first term in the Illinois legislature. He understood small business issues and counseled me on the legislative process. A very classy guy. Much of the time served in the state house is consumed by boredom. Cal was a pleasant break during an otherwise tedious political process. Rest in peace my friend.
Comment by Bill Edley Friday, Apr 26, 13 @ 2:56 pm
Cal Sutker was in a class by himself. Ever the gentleman, always the willing mentor, he will be missed.
Comment by Knome Sane Friday, Apr 26, 13 @ 3:31 pm
Very sad. I had a personal meeting years ago with Cal and he was courteous, kind, and classy through and through, and a devoted family man to be sure. He will be dearly missed by the locals around Niles Township in particular–and throughout Illinois by those who knew and appreciated his wisdom and dedication, not only to the Democratic Party in Illinois, but primarily as a devoted Public Servant, par Excellence, who truly cared about helping people…May Almighty God bless him and rest his soul in peace.
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Apr 26, 13 @ 4:15 pm