Louis Behnke built a reputation for honesty, integrity and service to his community during his 14 years as an alderman in Oakbrook Terrace.
A resident of Aurora, Mr. Behnke, 76, died of complications from sepsis Friday, Aug. 13, in Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora.
Born in Chicago and raised in the city’s Bridgeport neighborhood, Mr. Behnke served briefly in the U.S. Navy in World War II and again in the Korean War. After he was discharged from the Navy, he was set up on a blind date with his future wife, Shirley, said his son David. The couple married in 1955.
Mr. Behnke joined Eastman Kodak Co. in 1946 and worked on the company’s projectors throughout his career. He retired at age 55 in 1983 as an apparatus technician.
Mr. Behnke and his family moved from Chicago’s Northwest Side to Oakbrook Terrace in 1964. He joined the City Council in 1975 and was re-elected three times. During his time as an alderman representing the 1st Ward, Mr. Behnke became known for providing an independent voice to longtime Mayor Richard Sarallo.
“He was definitely one of my favorite people and one of my role models for what to do right as a politician,” said former Oakbrook Terrace Ald. Joe Flanagan, a longtime friend of Mr. Behnke’s. “I always reminded myself to do things the way Lou did them, by being honest and upfront.”
During the late 1980s, Mr. Behnke vocally backed an ultimately unsuccessful effort by residents of Oakbrook Terrace’s main subdivision to sell their homes en masse to a commercial developer.
In 1989, Mr. Behnke ran for mayor against Sarallo. In the three-way race, the incumbent defeated Mr. Behnke by 51 votes out of 829 cast. The race ended Mr. Behnke’s political career, as he could not seek re-election to his aldermanic seat while running for mayor.
Even after leaving the council, Mr. Behnke continued to stay active in politics, leading an unsuccessful effort in 1991 to oppose an off-track betting parlor in Oakbrook Terrace.
In 1993, Mr. Behnke and his wife moved to Darien. The couple settled in Aurora in 1995.
“The next phase of his life was being a grandfather,” David Behnke said. “He was the kind of guy who would get down on his hands and knees and play marbles with his grandchildren.”
His easygoing demeanor served him well during his later years, which included some medical difficulties.
“He was always a guy who, no matter what cards were dealt to him, he never complained or took it hard,” his son said.
In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Behnke is survived by another son, Daniel; a daughter, Wendy Daly; and seven grandchildren. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until a memorial service at noon Thursday in Peace Lutheran Church, 21W500 Butterfield Rd., Lombard.
