Attorney devoted to helping others
By Denise Baran-Unland For The Herald-News July 8, 2012 9:10PM
Andrew Dystrup
Updated: August 10, 2012 6:17AM
After the death of his brother Dick Dystrup, one of the first board members of the Will County Community Foundation, real estate attorney Andrew Dystrup of New Lenox stepped up to fill his post.
“The foundation raised funds and donated them to different charitable organizations in the community, which is just what Andy liked to support,” said Andy’s wife Carolyn Dystrup of New Lenox. “After Andy died (April 3 at age 67), his son-in-law decided to fill out his term.”
Andy strongly believed in supporting one’s community and church, which he did more through example than by words, as he had learned from his father. Cameron Dystrup had been active in both the Lions Club and the Lockport United Methodist Church.
In addition to the Will County Community Foundation, Andy proudly belonged to the Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, ATG Trust Company, Lincolnway Community Bank and the Joliet Lions breakfast club. He was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church and, for 30 years, sang bass in its chancel choir. Andy also delivered continuing education presentations for the Illinois Bar Association.
“He was my hero,” said Andy’s daughter Erika Forsythe of Minooka. “My mom would say he was proud of his children, but I was awfully proud of my dad. He was hardworking, honest, humble and he never disrespected you. He wasn’t out to fulfill his own agenda. He just enjoyed helping people around him.”
Andy even helped himself through his dedication to physical fitness. In his late 30s and early 40s, Andrew played Old Timers baseball in Crest Hill. He worked out five days a week at the former Charlie Club and later when it became Campus Fitness. Typical bike rides were 20 to 40 miles.
In the late 1990s, Andy and Carolyn traveled around the world on hiking trips; their favorite locations were national parks. Often, they hiked with two other couples and the fellowship among them, in addition to the terrific exercise, Carolyn said, was priceless.
“On those trips, Andy was always the one that would stop and wait for the rest of us to catch up,” Carolyn said.
Being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2007 slowed Andy down, but it could not stop him. He hiked up until two years ago. Despite supplemental oxygen and breathing difficulties, Andy continued practicing law and working out at Provena Saint Joseph Inwood Athletic Club.
“He wrapped up work on Feb. 29,” Carolyn said, “and the next day Loyola called and said they had a lung for him.”
Erika felt the timing matched her father’s efficient personality. “He was happy to work,” Erika said. “He had the attitude of, ‘Why waste time sitting at home?’ He always marched forward.”
Contact Denise M. Baran-Unland
at 815-467-5249 or artemis279@aol.com.
