Koncza LouisLouis Koncza was born shortly after the end of World War I. From his father's side of the family, he inherited the traditions of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. From his mother, he inherited the traditions of Poland. This family history always remained in his mind as a symbolic reminder of when for several centuries these two countries were united.
After World War II, he was forced to leave his homeland. As a displaced person, he lived for several years in Germany, where he attended school, and obtained a degree in architecture. Arriving in the United States in 1949, he settled in Chicago. He graduated from the University of Illinois with an engineering degree. Following graduation, he worked in industry and consulting. He rose rapidly through the ranks, and by 1967 was a director of a major consulting firm in Chicago. That same year, he was appointed Chief Bridge Engineer for the City of Chicago. His responsibilities included the planning, design, and maintenance of the City's famous moveable bridge system. As Chief Bridge Engineer, he was responsible for more bridges that exist in some European countries. In 1973, he was promoted to Chief Engineer of the City of Chicago's Bureau of Engineering.
The Bureau of Engineering was the design group for public works projects within the City of Chicago. Among many of Mr. Koncza's accomplishments were removal of the "Z" curve bottleneck and the reconstruction of North Lake Shore Drive. With the removal of the traffic bottleneck and with the erection of the Columbus Bridge (the second longest moveable bridge in the world) the city was given the opportunity to develop the present infrastructure on both banks of the Chicago River. Another major accomplishment was the engineering of the rapid transit extension from the Jefferson Park Station to 0'Hare airport. This extension provides a fast, direct and congestion free link from 0'Hare to downtown Chicago. For his engineering work on this project, he received from the president of the United States in 1988 the Presidential Design Award. After 24 outstanding years of service to and engineering accomplishments for the City of Chicago, in 1992 he retired from active engineering practice.
Mr. Koncza was registered both as a Professional Engineer and as a Structural Engineer. During his active engineering career, he was a member of the Chicago Chapter of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Public Works Association, the Western Society of Engineers and a member of its selection committee for the prestigious Washington Award. He remains an active member of the Polish American Engineers Association. He has made many presentations on Chicago's major public works projects and is well known and respected in the local and national engineering community. He has received recognition including an honorary decoration from the Government of Poland as well as from other associations for his untiring devotion to the engineering profession and civic affairs.
In addition to his outstanding engineering career, Mr. Koncza was been active in the Polish-American community. As co-chair of the Copernicus monument committee, he obtained the necessary permits to erect the monument on city property and 1973 supervised its erection at the front entrance of the Adler Planetarium. As a remembrance of that bright but windy day, he still has a piece of the blue tarpaulin that covered the statue. This project received an award from the Chicago Beautification Committee. At the unveiling ceremony, he was presented with an honorary membership in the Polish-American Congress.
He was the guiding force that not only restored but also moved Kosciusko's monument from Humboldt Park to its present location due west of the Copernicus monument. He was heavily involved in the planning and the development of the Copernicus Polish Culture Center in Chicago; responsible for organizing the Polish-American Numismatic Association's medallic art series commemorating the anniversaries of important historical events.
Retirement provides Mr. Koncza not only the time but also the opportunity to pursue his numerous hobbies and interests. His grandchildren are a great source of pride and joy for him and his wife Halina.
Source: Polish American Engineers Association 1934-2002; 2002 Recognition Dinner Dance Program (Chicago).