Former Mayor of Normal Dick Godfrey has died at age 91.
Godfrey was mayor for two terms, from 1976 to 1985. The nine-year span came because election law changed the length of term in between Godfrey's first and second term, said former Mayor Paul Harmon.
Godfrey had a lot of jobs in his life: newspaper and radio reporter, editor, and radio news director. He did public relations with the Eureka Company, and public affairs and development for Illinois State University.
As a leader he helped the Town of Normal transition from a small college town into an economically diverse community.
"What a fierce unabashed advocate he was for the Town of Normal," said Judy Buchanan, community leader and spouse of the late Bloomington Mayor Rich Buchanan.
Judy Buchanan said Godfrey and Rich Buchanan had a close working relationship.
"They had a deep respect for each other, which I really admired, but yet were always very aware that there were differences in each of the communities. They could agree to disagree," said Buchanan.
Harmon was a council member through all of Godfrey's time as mayor.
"We were still in the days when we were Bloomington ... and the suburb. He wanted to make it Bloomington-Normal, and he worked very hard on that and really succeeded. He was really involved in working on economic development for the community," said Harmon.
Godfrey's signature achievements as mayor include the initial development of College Hills Mall, and the state and local effort to bring the Diamond-Star auto plant to the community as a joint venture between Mitsubishi and Chrysler.
Former council member Jeff Fritzen served during Godfrey's time. He said Godfrey was a huge salesman for the community.
"Dick was a promoter. Dick promoted all the benefits of the Town of Normal and all the things we had to offer. He was trying to broaden the vision of what Normal could be," said Fritzen.
Godfrey also paid attention to small things as well. Harmon said Godfrey would pointedly follow up with the city manager.
"Dick had the habit of driving the whole community on Sunday, seeing how things were progressing. I can remember Dave Anderson [then-city manager) saying, 'I don't look forward to Monday mornings because Dick comes in with his list,'" said Harmon.
In Godfrey's years, the town completely replaced its streetlights with brighter sodium vapor fixtures and other things.
"We modernized a lot of things. We went from having World War II trucks in the Public Works department to having modern trucks. Things improved greatly during Dick's time," said Harmon.
Harmon characterized Godfrey as affable but determined. The latter quality showed during the firefighters union strike in 1978. The town took a hard line in trying to keep higher ranking fire department members out of the union. A judge ended up sending the firefighters to jail in shifts. The strike went on for 54 days as both sides tried to out-stubborn the other.
"I would say that towards the end Dick's position and that of the majority of the council was — we just have to get this thing over and settled and move on," said Harmon.
Godfrey's leadership was not just about development and infrastructure. When Fritzen first thought about running for the council, he said he went to Godfrey to learn more about what the gig involved and how to do the job.
"One of the first things he said to me was that if you have a heart for service to your community then you should give it a go. That told he had the right perspective of what a position in public service meant and what it should be," said Fritzen.
Fritzen said Godfrey's vision of leadership included development of social capital. Fritzen was 30 years old when first elected and public service at that level was very new to him. Godfrey recognized that.
"He was somebody who tried to help bring you along, tried to build into you, not with kid gloves necessarily but recognizing that you are new to this and then giving some responsibility early on to test you and to grow you," said Fritzen.
Godfrey's public service didn't end with formal retirement. After 9/11, Godfrey joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary because there was no age limit. He did public affairs for the Coast Guard.
Godfrey's visitation and funeral Mass are Friday in Chicago.
