— All of his adult life, former Catlin resident Bob O’Shaughnessy has enjoyed working in the field of parks and recreation. He’s won awards throughout his career, but a recent honor from Eastern Illinois University means a lot to him.
O’Shaughnessy was nominated for the Department of Recreation Administration’s Distinguished Alumni Award at EIU.
He was surprised when he learned that he had won, adding, “It was quite an honor.”
The award was presented to him at the 13th annual EIURAA student forum.
O”Shaughnessy now lives in Munster, Ind., but he still has relatives in the area, including sister, Molly Nicholson of Catlin, and brothers, Tom O’Shaughnessy of Catlin and Pat O’Shaughnessy of Danville.
A 1979 graduate of Catlin High School, O’Shaughnessy received a bachelor’s degree in recreation administration in 1983 from EIU. He also received the William G. Riordan award (for potential to make major contributions to the field) in 1983.
O’Shaughnessy said he has enjoyed his career, explaining, “I liked seeing improvements made — whether to a park area or improving an existing program.
“I got a lot of satisfaction out of those two things.”
He began his professional career in 1984 with the Morton Grove Park District, where he was an athletic supervisor and then superintendent of recreation facilities. He also held a position with Northwest DuPage Special Recreation Association Center, serving as director of marketing and development.
He then became director of parks and recreation for Havana Park District.
His career with the Munster (Ind.) Park District began in 1997 when he assumed the position of superintendent of recreation. His next position was that of director of parks and recreation.
He was responsible for administrative functions, reporting to a five-person Parks and Recreation Board. In addition, he recommended development plans, supervised and evaluated personnel, sought out grants for development, and oversaw the maintenance and safety of all park areas.
His accomplishments include obtaining more than $1 million in grants for building a bike/pedestrian path and riverwalk construction. He supervised the development of a 200-acre park, oversaw the construction of the $2.6 million Munster Community Pool, and was founder of the Munster Parks and Recreation Car Show.
O’Shaughnessy has been actively involved in both Indiana and Illinois Park and Recreation Associations, has been an active board member of the Rotary Club, and is a Junior Achievement instructor.
He and his wife, Tamara, have four children ranging in age from 9 to 19.
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
On Thailand Trip, Suu Kyi Visits Migrants
Raw Video: Pink Diamond Auctioned for $17.4M
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Couple doesn’t let tropical storm ruin their big day
Tori Bares Baby Bump in Monokini
Even Fla. Police Shocked by Face-Mauling Attack
Letterman on Family Life Post-Scandal
Evans: Serena in shock
Pregnant Reese Wears LBD
Volcano covers Colombian cities in ash
Meet the Crew and Good Ship 'Prometheus'
Los Angeles Bar Bans Bachelorettes
Hamster Plays Dead
Beyonce Shows Off 60 Pound Weight Loss at Concert
Drunk Women Breaking Into Houses: A New Trend?
LeAnn Rimes Rocks Short Shorts
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Gordon Ramsay Carried Off Field
Man Dies Getting Lap Dance
Kim Kardashian Claims Items Stolen from Her Luggage
Bear cools off in Calif. family's pool
Ep. 3: Chopped Desserts
Air Force dad surprises family at baseball game
