Individual Details
Blaine "Truman" Kirkpatrick
(18 Oct 1913 - 29 Nov 1997)
Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, December 3, 1997: Truman Kirkpatrick, Democratic activist. Truman Kirkpatrick, 84, a longtime political activist and perennial candidate for local and statewide office in DuPage County, died Saturday at the Hospice of the North Shore in Evanston. Mr. Kirkpatrick was a research chemist for the Sherwin Williams paint company. He retired in 1978 after 35 years.
In 1944, Mr. Kirkpatrick and his wife, Barbara, were founding members of the York Center Community Cooperative, an independent community in the Lombard area. In 1958, he became active in the Democratic Party in DuPage County. Mr. Kirkpatrick was president of the Lombard Democratic Club and publisher of the DuPage Democrat newsletter for nearly 35 years, said his son, Daniel.
"He ran for office in almost every election," said Daniel. "He thought it was better to have a candidate on the ballot even when he knew he would lose." In the face of heavy odds in heavily Republican DuPage County, "he always got 30 percent of the vote," his son said.
A major advocate for progressive political ideas, Mr. Kirkpatrick provided inspiration for many younger activists and was awarded the Bill Redmond Award and the Daniel T. Smyth Award for his contributions to the Democratic Party, Daniel said.
He was an avid rock climber and mountaineer and amateur geologist.
Survivors include another son, Peter; a daughter, Carol Kirkpatrick; two sisters, Mary Brown and Virginia Shank and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at the York Center Church of the Brethren, 1S071 Luther Ave., Lombard. Burial was private.
In 1944, Mr. Kirkpatrick and his wife, Barbara, were founding members of the York Center Community Cooperative, an independent community in the Lombard area. In 1958, he became active in the Democratic Party in DuPage County. Mr. Kirkpatrick was president of the Lombard Democratic Club and publisher of the DuPage Democrat newsletter for nearly 35 years, said his son, Daniel.
"He ran for office in almost every election," said Daniel. "He thought it was better to have a candidate on the ballot even when he knew he would lose." In the face of heavy odds in heavily Republican DuPage County, "he always got 30 percent of the vote," his son said.
A major advocate for progressive political ideas, Mr. Kirkpatrick provided inspiration for many younger activists and was awarded the Bill Redmond Award and the Daniel T. Smyth Award for his contributions to the Democratic Party, Daniel said.
He was an avid rock climber and mountaineer and amateur geologist.
Survivors include another son, Peter; a daughter, Carol Kirkpatrick; two sisters, Mary Brown and Virginia Shank and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at the York Center Church of the Brethren, 1S071 Luther Ave., Lombard. Burial was private.
Events
| Birth | 18 Oct 1913 | Wisconsin |  | ||
| Marriage | 19 Jun 1942 | Lois B. Bowman to Truman Kirkpatrick, Cook Co., Illinois - Lois Barbara Brown | |||
| Death | 29 Nov 1997 | Evanston, Cook Co., Illinois | | ||
| Burial | Private | |
Families
| Spouse | Lois Barbara Brown (1920 - 1996) |
| Child | Daniel Kirkpatrick ( - ) |
| Child | Carol Kirkpatrick ( - ) |
| Child | Peter Kirkpatrick ( - ) |
| Father | Blaine Evron Kirkpatrick (1887 - 1959) |
| Mother | Vernia Marks (1887 - 1937) |
| Sibling | Mary Esther Kirkpatrick (1919 - 2010) |
| Sibling | Virginia Kirkpatrick (1924 - 2007) |
Endnotes
1. E-Mail from Ryan Elizabeth Blue Kirkpatrick, Received Dec. 23, 2018.
2. Family Search.
3. E-Mail from Ryan Elizabeth Blue Kirkpatrick, Received Dec. 23, 2018.
4. Family Search.
5. Obituary of Blaine "Truman" Kirkpatrick, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, December 3, 1997.
6. Obituary of Blaine "Truman" Kirkpatrick, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, December 3, 1997.