TRIBUTE TO LEWIS M. KRANZ

WHEREAS, Lewis M. Kranz was the backbone of St. Paul's Residences, one of the premiere senior housing and long-term health care facilities on this city's Northwest Side. Initially, even though he was Director of Lambs Farm in Libertyville, Illinois, he agreed to help tenant the original residences in 1982 by working nights and evenings to do so. After 1987, he was asked to take over management of the property
and it was his astute management skills that turned around the struggling institution, making it financially sound in just four years; and

WHEREAS, Lewis M. Kranz honed his management skills as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force where he served in World Ward II, the Korean conflict and the Viet Nam War. He flew the "big birds" such as the C-5 Galaxy and the C-141 B Starlifter and was also a Bomber Commander in the Strategic Air Command; and

WHEREAS, Lewis and Nina Kranz were married for 62 years, a union only ended by his death at the age of 80. They made their home in Kenosha, Wisconsin after living all over the world during his military career. From this marriage came two children and five grandsons; and

WHEREAS, On September 24, 2004, in recognition of the substantial contribution Lewis M. Kranz has made to the community he serves, the Honorable Richard F. Mell dedicated a portion of Byron Street from California Avenue to Mozart Street to be known as "Lewis M. Kranz Way";

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council do hereby salute the committed life and service of Lewis M. Kranz and wish the directors, managers, employees and residents of St. Paul's Residences continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That suitable copies of this resolution be prepared and presented to Mrs. Nina Kranz and St. Paul's Residences.