Eugene J. Dunworth was a city employee for 30 years who in his roles as assistant budget director and assistant to the Board of Education president was part of an entourage of city officials who welcomed world leaders to Chicago, including the Queen of England. Mr. Dunworth, 80, who had been living in Sun City West, Ariz., died Sunday, June 4, in a Phoenix nursing home of complications of heart failure. Mr. Dunworth, who was born and raised in Chicago, was a World War II veteran. He began his career with the city by teaching in area high schools. After working in the school board’s radio and television division for five years, in 1956 he landed a City Hall job as assistant budget director under Mayor Richard J. Daley. In that role, he met Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip during their 1959 visit to Chicago, said his wife, Florence. Once their yacht docked in Chicago and the royal couple visited City Hall, Mr. Dunworth was given a special assignment. “He had to take the queen to the dentist because she had a toothache,” recalled his wife. Mr. Dunworth would later tell his family the queen was charming and a very quiet person. His family said he enjoyed working for the city and thrived on politics. “I guess he felt it was good to be with important people,” his wife said. “He enjoyed that.” In 1968, he was appointed assistant to then school board president, Frank M. Whiston. After retiring from the city post in the early 1980s, he moved near Palm Springs, Calif. Mr. Dunworth also had a flair for telling jokes and loved playing golf and tennis. He moved to Sun City West seven years ago. Other survivors also include his son, Eugene Jr.; a daughter, Dyann Hill; five grandsons; three granddaughters; and two great-grandchildren. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Sun City West.
