Tom Truedson was very interested in being on the Oak Brook Park Board when he decided in 1999 to run for a spot.
Even at that time, a six-year board term meant a major commitment was needed to join that group. Truedson was successful in his election bid and looking forward to his six-year term, but he never thought at the time that those six years would be only the beginning of his involvement on the Park Board.
Now, 24 years after first being elected, Truedson, 67, has decided it’s time to step down. He didn’t run for reelection in April and is finishing up with an impressive run on the board.
“I had no preconceived notion that I would serve this long,” Truedson said. “What I found, though, was that having a six-year term was easier than four years. Once you are on the board and find out how rewarding it is to serve on the Park District, not having to run for a next term every four years is a great relief.”
Truedson, a lifelong Oak Brook resident, said he continued to seek reelection because at the end of each term he felt there were still many challenges that needed to be addressed.
“I do feel today that I am leaving the Park District in a very good position,” he said. “We have an excellent director in place in Laure Kosey, and she has assembled a top staff that serves the community well.”
As for his original interest in joining the Park Board, Truedson said he was motivated by experiences he had in sports while growing up. He gave basketball and cross country a try, without much success. And after being cut after three consecutive tryouts for the gymnastics team at Hinsdale Central — Truedson said he “truly had no talent” — the freshman coach allowed him to stick around during practices, even though he wasn’t a member of the team.
“I made the team sophomore year by working out all summer,” he said. “By the time I was a senior, I was a team captain and the top pommel horse man on a team winning conference, districts and sectionals, and placing third in state.”
Truedson graduated from Central and went to the University of Oregon on a scholarship, twice earning All-America honors in gymnastics.
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“I became aware that 60% of kids, by the time they reach age 14, quit most sports because they’re demotivated by the coach, who thinks they’re not talented enough and parents that are trying to live out their athletic career, or lack thereof, through them,” Truedson said.
“I was a good example of a kid that simply needed to be given a chance to develop, so it became clear to me the most important kids to encourage and give extra time to develop were the kids who came out to play but maybe weren’t that talented.”
Believing that Park District programs could help to provide that outlet, Truedson was a key player in several important developments, including the Park District acquiring the McDonald’s soccer fields through a referendum, reorganizing the preschool, development of the Dean Nature Sanctuary into a beautiful and accessible prairie, and getting new LED lights on the baseball fields to reduce the impact of light spillage on neighbors.
“The Park District motto is ‘Take Time for Fun,’ so when that’s your objective, everything is geared to ensuring that you try and meet a wide range of interests to help members of the community have an opportunity to have fun,” Truedson said. “I think we have done a really good job in meeting that objective.
“From our preschool to pioneer programs, as well as aquatic and all the programs and sports that meet our community wants, I’m proud of what is in place and how the Park District runs on a daily basis to meet the needs and wants of the Oak Brook and surrounding community.”
Truedson said providing the widest range of programs to residents at the lowest possible cost has been the biggest challenge as a longtime board member.
“The Oak Brook Park District is an outstanding entity with all types of programs designed to meet the unique recreational needs of all ages in the Village of Oak Brook,” he said. “If someone is not currently engaged with the Park District, I encourage them to go online or simply stop by and find out about all the programs we have for our residents.”
Park Board President Sharon Knitter, said Truedson has been an outstanding board member. “To say Tom’s service has always been extremely valued is an understatement,” she said. “His ideas, calming presence, vision, and passion will never be forgotten. He has left a mark and a legacy that we will cherish forever.”
After his 24 years, Truedson said he will most miss interaction with the Park District staff and board.
“The board didn’t always agree, but we were very civil, and all members worked to arrive at the best outcome to serve the community,” he said.
Along with Truedson stepping down after a long tenure, the Park Board also is losing Frank Trombetta, who also has decided to call it quits after first being elected to the board in 2009.
Executive Director Laure Kosey said both men will be missed.
“Having Tom and Frank on our board has been nothing short of an invaluable experience,” Kosey said. “These gentlemen have the utmost respect and care for the community that they so passionately served. It has been an honor to work with them and the Park District will miss their guidance.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.