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Ralph Frese, Chicago Canoeing Guru, Passes On
Known by the beloved term "Mr. Canoe," Frese, of Niles, pioneered and popularized paddling sports on Chicago rivers starting in the 1950s. He's a champion among environmentalists and paddling sports advocates, reflected in many awards.
Even three years ago, Ralph Frese fretted that his knees weren't in good enough shape to let him set out in a canoe. For someone who almost single-handedly pioneered and popularized the sport of canoeing on Chicago's network of waterways--the Chicago, Des Plaines, Fox and other rivers--that had to be hard. Frese, 86, of Niles, passed away Dec. 10. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until the 8 p.m. service at Simkins Funeral Home in Morton Grove. Earlier: VIDEO: Cruising Chicagoland Waterways with 'Mr. Canoe' for 70 Years Frese was also a noted environmentalist. In his work with the Illinois Clean Streams Committee, he and other paddlers reported on the conditions of the waterways, including pollution and blockages, to government …
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Joseph LoVerde
10:33 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
I had the opportunity to talk with Ralph at the Night of the Roses function this year. In the brief time we spoke he educated me on the North Branch of the Chicago River and offered to help with our efforts to clean it up where it flows through our property at Tam O Shanter Golf Corse. I was captured by his passion and knowledge of our waterways. It was a pleasure talking to a sincere gentleman … more ›