Oct. 22--James Waldorf, a former mayor of Plainfield and educator who was principal of Plainfield High School during the devastating 1990 tornado, died Tuesday at Meadowbrook Manor in Bolingbrook after battling Alzheimer's disease. He was 73.
Waldorf served one term as mayor, from 2005 to 2009.
"He did a lot for the village," Mayor Mike Collins said Wednesday.
Waldorf served as principal of Plainfield High School from 1978 to 1993 and was assistant superintendent for the Plainfield School District from 1993 to 1994. He was principal when a tornado completely destroyed the high school on Aug. 28, 1990. A science teacher and two maintenance workers at the school were among the 29 killed by the storm.
"After the tornado Plainfield went from being a sleepy town to one of the fastest-growing communities in the nation," said Bill Lamb, a Plainfield village trustee. "Jim's legacy is his vision for that growth."
In 1990 the high school was one of just five total schools in the Plainfield School District, which today has four high schools, seven middle schools and 17 elementary schools.
He later served from 1994 to 2006 as principal of St. Mary Immaculate Catholic School, which also was destroyed by the tornado.
"(At St. Mary's) he led the school through a significant budget crisis and helped keep its doors open by operating more efficiently," said Tom Hernandez, Plainfield School District director of community relations.
Waldorf served two years as a village trustee before being elected mayor.
"He was very devoted to kids as an educator," Trustee Margie Bonuchi said.
Bonuchi said she served with Waldorf on a capital campaign advisory board for the C.W. Avery YMCA and he was a past president of the Rotary Club of Plainfield. Waldorf also volunteered with Salvation Army, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Exchange Club and the Plainfield Alliance to Nurture Diversity Awareness (PANDA), Hernandez said. Waldorf also was past president of the Plainfield Food Pantry and was active with Mainstreet Plainfield.
Waldorf held a doctorate in education. He was a dean and assistant principle at Proviso East High School from 1963 to 1978.
Waldorf is survived by his wife of 27 years, Mary Anne, owner of the Gourmet Junction restaurant and tea house in downtown Plainfield; children Rhea (James) Scheuing, Nicole Waldorf, Michael (Jennifer) LaMontagna and Joseph (Jamie) LaMontagna, five grandchildren; a brother, Michael; and sister, Christine.
Visitation is from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, at Overman-Jones Funeral Home Cremation Services, 15219 S. Joliet Road, Plainfield. A funeral Mass is set for 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26 at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, 15629 S. Route 59, Plainfield. Interment will be at Plainfield Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Alzheimer's Association, 8430 Bryn Mawr, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60631.
Ted Slowik is a freelance reporter
