Longtime Arlington Park Owner Duchossois Dies 'Peacefully' At 100
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Richard "Dick" Duchossois, who was affectionately known as “Mr. D” and who was the longtime owner of Arlington Park International Racecourse, died at age 100 on Friday, his family confirmed.
Duchossois, who purchased the famed Arlington Park track 1983, died peacefully at his Barrington Hills home, according to a news release.
“The loss of our wonderful friend and leader Mr. D leaves the Arlington Family with a heavy heart, yet we are warmed by the memories he gave us and the communities he touched through his long life,” Arlington International Racecourse President Tony Petrillo said in a statement released on Friday.
“Mr. D accomplished many good things in life. He worked hard and always followed the path of honesty and integrity which is a gift that he passed on to all of us around him. We are most grateful to him for sharing this gift with us.
The longtime businessman and philanthropist grew up in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood and attended Morgan Park Academy. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II and served as the commander of the Tank Destroyer Company with the 610th Battalion and fought in operations including the Battle of the Bulge, according to a news release.
Duchossois received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service for his military service before settling in suburban Flossmoor with his wife, Beverly, which whom he had four children.
Duchossois later joined his wife’s family business, Chicago Heights-based Thrall Car Manufacturing Company, which manufactured and repaired railcar parts, the news release said. The company only had 35 employees at the time but grew to 3,000 employees and a production capacity of 16,000 rail cars per year when Trinity Rail Group acquired it in 2001.
In addition to purchasing Arlington Heights, Duchossois owned the Chamberlain Manufacturing Group and several broadcast outlets.
After a fire destroyed the famed racetrack in 1985, Duchossois oversaw its rebuilding and brought premier racing events, including the 2002 Breeders Cup to Arlington International Racecourse. Duchossois was inducted into the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame in 2019, the release said. Arlington Park, which merged with Churchill Downs in 2000, was home to the Arlington Million.
Last fall, the Chicago Bears purchased the site for $197 million with the intention of building a state-of-the-art stadium on the location.
“Mr. D loved being around people, being a part of the community, picking people up by their boot-straps and watching them succeed,” Petrillo said.
“He was the consummate teacher, he always preached "Don't Expect What You Didn't Inspect", to take the responsibility you place on others, upon yourself as well. We are forever grateful for his loyalty and enduring friendship.”
Duchossois is survived by his wife, Judi; son Craig; and daughters Dayle (Fortino) and Kimberly; and several grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Beverly, and son, Bruce.
The family said that due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no visitation and that the funeral and burial will be limited to immediate family members.
This article originally appeared on the Arlington Heights Patch
