Editor’s note: We asked you to share your memories of former President Barack Obama as the Obama Presidential Center is set to open to the public on Friday. Here are more of your letters. The remainder will appear in Thursday’s edition. To see other letters, go here.
Genuine warmth, each time
I was running for state representative in 2004 at the same time Barack Obama was running for U.S. Senate. As a result, we ended up on numerous stages together whenever he visited our area during his campaign. The first time I heard him speak, at a candidate event in Palatine in the early days of the Democratic primary, I was floored by his skill at making everyone in the room feel like he understood them. (He wasn’t a half-bad speaker, either.)
After the meeting, I went home and told my husband that I had just met the next senator from Illinois. “Really? What’s his name?” he asked. “Barack Obama,” I said. He just laughed. “Nobody with that name is ever going to be elected in Illinois,” he predicted. I knew what he meant, but I told him to wait and see.
Barack and I met several more times at events, and I was more impressed with him each time. No doubt in my mind that he was going to win the primary and go on to win the Senate race. But what really stuck with me was that every time he saw me, he gave me a hug like he was really glad I was there on the stage with him. Not just an obligatory gesture but something that felt genuine and heartfelt. Like a friend. And he did that with as many people as he could, every time.
They were some of the best hugs I’ve ever gotten, in fact. (Don’t tell my husband — or Michelle.)
— Nancy Shepherdson, Deer Park
His potential was clear
In late summer of 2004, I was invited to an impromptu reception for then-state Sen. Barack Obama at the Dudley & Lake law offices in Libertyville. Obama was running for U.S. senator after Sen. Peter Fitzgerald decided not to seek reelection.
About 100 were gathered to meet and greet. Polite patience ensued as Obama was one hour late. It was worth the wait. Obama briskly entered and immediately apologized for tardiness. His immediate presence was one of sharp intellect, efficiency and modesty.
He delivered a straightforward 20-minute speech centering on unity, education, healthcare, lifting up the disadvantaged and maintaining strong ties with our allied nations. Afterward, he shook hands all round.
As he shook my hand, I said it was an honor to meet him. He graciously smiled and said thank you. When I went home that evening, I told my wife this man could be president some day.
— Terry Brady, Libertyville
A sight I won’t forget
I remember seeing then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama and Michelle Obama while working the Bud Billiken Parade as a Chicago police officer the year he began his bid for president. Even though we were always told to “watch the crowd, not the parade,” I feel I saw history that day.
They were sitting on the back of a convertible, the hot August sun shining a natural spotlight on them, so bright as they slowly rode by. I could see them over the tops of the heads in the crowds, both of them waving. It was a sight I will never forget. Right then and there, I knew he would be our next president.
— Joyce Izzi, Chicago
Joy replaced weariness
I am a retired 35-year employee at Metra and completed my career at Metra at the end of 2018 as the chief operations officer. On the night of Nov. 4, 2008, when Barack Obama was declared the winner of the presidential election and spoke to thousands of Americans at Grant Park, I and hundreds of Metra employees prepared for the flood of passengers that would descend at all of our downtown stations when Obama finished his acceptance speech. We worked throughout the day running our normal operation and prepared for a second rush hour, and I remember being pretty worn out.
While waiting for the crowd to arrive at Union Station, I had the chance to go to my office and hear Obama’s speech. I felt a tremendous sense of pride and hope.
When I returned to the Union Station concourse to help get everyone home safely, my weariness subsided and was replaced with joy.
— Peter Zwolfer, Park Ridge
This response clinched it
I recall, I think it was a Senate race, when the many candidates being interviewed were asked what their most humbling experience had been campaigning. Barack Obama said a fundraiser was held for him, and nobody attended.
He got my vote from then on, from that response.
— Deborah Sand, Bloomingdale
An awe-inspiring speech
I was listening to the radio in my car, and the announcer told the listeners that Obamas would be at the Waukegan National Airport hangar in support of another politician. I called my sister-in-law to meet me there. As we were waiting in the hangar area with excitement to see Barack Obama, he ended up giving a very awe-inspiring speech.
To this day, my sister-in-law and I relive this special moment all the time!
— MaryKay Trkla, Lake Villa
Birthplace of democracy
When Barack Obama was chosen as the Democratic candidate for president, we were more excited than we’d been in years. We had to vote early because we were traveling to, ironically, the birthplace of democracy, Greece. We left early on Election Day and were in flight for at least 12 hours. We landed around 4 a.m. As we moved through the airport, we were asking anyone and everyone if Obama had won. No one spoke English, even the cabdriver.
Getting to the hotel in the dark, we could see the Parthenon all lit up. Finally, at the front desk, we got our answer, with a big smile. In fact, everyone working the front desk was happy for us. As we traveled through Greece, that was a common reaction from the Greek people. Only one had a negative comment: “He’s too young!”
— Martin and Roberta Seigel, Libertyville
No photo is necessary
We were waiting and waiting outside Peterson’s Ice Cream parlor in Oak Park on Sept. 14, 2007. Barack Obama had stopped at a senior housing building and was talking and listening to the senior citizens living there.
It turns out he often arrived late because he’d have his picture taken with anyone who waited in line to see him — until his staff managed to pull him away, that is! When he finally arrived (to film a documentary he was taking to Iowa), his charismatic presence made all the waiting worthwhile. I especially remember his patience, his kind demeanor and, of course, that big, wide smile.
When a line formed afterward so people could have photos taken with him, I decided not to wait with friends in the line and to go home. I was directly behind Obama as I headed toward the door, so I tapped him on the shoulder. He turned, and I said, “You’re the man!” I was rewarded for my sneakiness with a magnificent smile from the man who would be our president.
I don’t need a photo to remember that.
— Lauretta Christensen, Oak Park
Obama proved me wrong
A couple of decades ago, I was a volunteer photographer for the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, later renamed the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. As a result, I had the opportunity to take photographs of many prominent men and women with my 35 mm film camera.
These included Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, well-known media personalities, foreign dignitaries and influential American politicians from across the political spectrum.
On July 12, 2004, I went downtown to The Chicago Club to take some pictures of a lesser-known figure who happened to be running for the United States Senate. His name was Barack Hussein Obama.
He mingled among the people who were attending the event and then went up to the podium to give an address, where his unbridled confidence and speaking prowess impressed those in attendance. I knew right then that he would be elected to the Senate.
However, as impressed as I was with his demeanor, I discounted any thoughts that he might be elected president one day. For one thing, he was Black, and I had my doubts that a significant number of white people would vote for him. Another problem was his name because of the 9/11 attacks and Osama bin Laden.
I was wrong since his charisma, charm and common sense carried the day. He not only won that Senate seat but in four short years used his political skills to win the presidency as well.
— Larry Vigon, Chicago
Elation of election night
My main memory of former President Barack Obama is not of the man himself but of the city on the night he was elected. The night of his election, I was living and working in Hyde Park, half a block from the Midway Plaisance — the epicenter of the celebration.
I remember the crowds, the excitement, the absolute elation and the glorious, strutting pride of being from the best city in the world — home of President-elect Barack Obama. It was unforgettable.
Like many people, not just Chicagoans, I miss those days.
— Regina Arndt, Chicago
Act of kindness for a veteran
My memories of President Barack Obama began way before he ran for president. He made a speech at the Democratic National Convention; it blew us all away. It was articulate, generous and inspiring in a way that made us want to be a part of all his dreams.
I read his books. They felt as though he was speaking of a reality without artifice, as though it was just you that the words were for.
Then his campaign was done with modesty and humor, without pretention or obvious promises that would never be kept. The night of his win, in Grant Park, was so awesome, because it brought together a massive, really true cross section of our country, not just our city. Citizens of every creed, color, age and economic variety were there, all joyous in the win of such a good human being. Then we saw his work ethic in the seriousness in the way he tackled the job.
We read that he held family dinner sacrosanct, above all other obligations, but then he would go back to his office to read, study and work out the problems of the moment. Decisions were made with hard work, study, logic and the opinions of serious experts. He did not put his personality above his obligations; his unguarded moments were usually joyous and heartfelt. I loved that he had “date nights” with Michelle and was an involved dad for his girls. He showed his love openly, spontaneously and sincerely.
I could see that his words resonated with other world leaders, even in disagreements. We always felt secure, because he made us feel as though our best interests and the values of our country were uppermost in his mind. Even the hours of the Osama bin Laden capture showed the intensity and weight of that decision he was living.
There is one picture in my mind that will always remain. He was visiting wounded military people in their hospital rooms. He sat facing a patient, concentrating on what was being said, oblivious to the camera, his back to all, only being there for someone who had sacrificed so much. It was not a photo-op. He was showing his gratitude.
That act of kindness and appreciation will always be my memory of this very special man.
— Joanne Hoffman, Highland Park
Source of inspiration to me
I’m an architect, avid hiker and urban sketcher. I have done several hikes around the new Obama Presidential Center during its construction.
It was perfect weather on Aug. 14, 2023, when I stopped in the park to do a sketch of the tower under construction.
I sent the sketch and a nice letter to the Obama Foundation. I stated that the foundation might want this capture of the new presidential center on this date.
I went on to tell them how President Barack Obama’s election inspired me to “be the change we want.” I started mentoring teenage boys through PEAK — Partnership to Educate and Advance Kids. To date, I’ve had the pleasure of being there for three young men as they navigate their high school years.
I look forward to spending time at the new Obama Presidential Center and receiving my next dose of inspiration!
— Rus Blemker, Oak Park
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