Online Obituaries

Chester J. "Chet" Rybicki

March 25, 1916 - March 06, 2013

Chester J. “Chet” Rybicki, age 96, former Mayor of Naperville from 1975-1983, Rotarian and longtime member of St. Raphael Catholic Church, at rest Wednesday, March 6, 2013. A native of Chicago, he was born March 25, 1916, the son of the late Paul and Estella (nee Olenik) Rybicki.

Beloved husband of 61 years to the late Lillian “Mickey” (nee Jaburek), loving father of Michael (Mary) Rybicki of Naperville, John (Susan) Rybicki of Texas and Cheryl (Raymond) Forster of Falls Church, VA, adored grandfather of William “Bill” (Asra Syed) Rybicki, James “Jim” (Anna) Rybicki of Eau Claire, WI, Dennis Martens of Florida and twins, Michael Forster of Falls Church, VA and Elizabeth (Jim) Grasmeder of Arlington, VA, cherished great-grandfather of Ada and Henry Rybicki of Eau Claire, WI, dear brother of the late Marie (the late Elmer) Majewski, fond uncle of many.

In his youth, Chet enjoyed mastering the violin. As the years progressed, he considered his favorite pastime to be “meeting new people, communicating and exchanging ideas.” He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on March 26, 1942 and served during World War II until he was discharged in 1945, just before Thanksgiving. Shortly after the war, Chet entered the job market and began his marketing career in Chicago in 1947.

Chet came to Naperville with his family in 1960. He commuted to Chicago, moving up to a new office in the Sears Tower upon its completion in 1973 and staying there to his retirement in 1975. He served two terms as Mayor of Naperville from 1975 to 1983 and was a member of the Rotary Club of Naperville since 1986.

Chet will be remembered as the mayor who served during Naperville’s Sesquicentennial celebration in 1981, a time when the city’s downtown survival was being challenged by large indoor shopping malls. Under his watch, Naper Settlement established strong roots to educate the community and visitors about “Yesterday’s Naperville” today. His special pride and joy was the public/private partnership that he developed with the City Council, business leaders and the citizens of Naperville to establish the Riverwalk that revitalized downtown Naperville. Today, the award winning Riverwalk not only enhances downtown, but keeps downtown Naperville thriving and attracting new business development. Chet’s crowning joy was to be part of Naperville’s growth and development – especially during the 1970’s and 1980’s – helping to build a great place for families to raise children.

Funeral Information

Visitation Friday, March 15, 4:00-9:00 P.M. at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St, Naperville.

Family and friends will meet on Saturday, March 16th at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1215 Modaff Rd., Naperville to celebrate a 12:15 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial.

Interment: SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Naperville, IL.

Donations Information

In lieu of flowers, memorials to: Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry, 1871 High Grove Lane, Naperville, IL 60540, (630) 355-3663, www.loaves-fishes.org

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