Conservationist Dick Young Dies at Age 86

If you've lived in the Fox Valley for any length of time and were in any way involved in the Fox River, you probably knew Dick Young. And if you knew Dick Young, the chances are that you liked him.

Young, a man with forest preserves named after him in both Kendall and Kane counties, died Sunday at the age of 86.

Yes, he lived in Oswego and he's a little better known downriver, but there little doubt that he left his mark in Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles.

Young spent decades working to preserve the environment along the Fox River and was instrumental in modernizing the planning and zoning laws in both Kendall and Kane counties.

He was honored in 2006 with the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award.

Young also served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and fought in the battle of Iwo Jima.

Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the , 1801 S. Douglas Road, Oswego. Funeral  service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the at Washington and Madison streets in Oswego.

Military honors will be given after the funeral service at the church. Cremation will take place followed by burial at Lincoln Memorial Park in Aurora.

Check Patch later for a complete story on the life and times of Dick Young.