Lakeview and Wrigleyville feel a little quieter with the passing of our longtime friend and neighbor, Chester Kropidlowski, who died peacefully on December 28, 2025, at the age of 83. If you’ve lived in the neighborhood for any length of time, chances are you knew Chester, or at least knew of him.

Chester was at just about every community meeting, always sitting attentively, always prepared, always ready with a thoughtful question or a calm, steady perspective. He cared deeply about neighborhood safety, smart development, and making sure residents had a voice. Through his work with East Lakeview Neighbors, his involvement in Alderman Tom Tunney’s planning and zoning efforts, and countless conversations about everything from traffic to Cubs crowds, Chester helped shape the neighborhood we know today. He wasn’t loud or flashy about it, he was consistent, informed, and deeply invested.

A civil engineer by trade with the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, Chester brought a practical mindset to community issues, but also a genuine love for this neighborhood. He helped plan the Chicago Marathon, weighed in on lakefront access and neighborhood infrastructure, and played a quiet but meaningful role in long running conversations around Wrigley Field and its impact on surrounding streets. And when the meetings wrapped up, you could often find him enjoying a Cubs game or swapping stories with friends at Murphy’s Bleachers.

Outside of neighborhood life, Chester loved golfing, fishing, and traveling, especially the adventures he shared with his late partner, Lenore. He was also incredibly generous, supporting causes close to his heart like Misericordia, the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and Lincoln Park Zoo.

Chester’s passing leaves a real gap, not just because of what he did, but because of how he did it. He believed that showing up mattered and that paying attention mattered. He believed that community was something you actively participated in, not something you took for granted.

Services celebrating Chester’s life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Lakeview Funeral Home, 1458 W. Belmont Ave., with visitation from 1:00–5:00 PM and a memorial service at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Misericordia Heart of Mercy, an organization Chester proudly supported.

Chester will be deeply missed at meetings, on the street, in the stands, and in the quiet ways that neighbors hold a place together. Lakeview is better because Chester was here.