Former SIUC Professor William Recktenwald remembered as “legendary reporter,” beloved teacher
William Recktenwald posed for a picture at the SIUC School of Journalism before his retirement.
Former SIUC Professor William Recktenwald is being remembered as a “mentor, friend and journalism trailblazer.”
He died at the Linda White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana on Aug. 20, according to an obituary posted by the Vickery Funeral Chapels.
Recktenwald, 79, was renowned for his role in The Mirage Tavern investigation when he worked as chief investigator for the Better Government Association. He went on to become a “truly legendary reporter,” according to his friend and former colleague, SIUC journalism professor Bill Freivogel.
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“I don’t use the word legendary lightly,” Freivogel said in a Facebook post. “Reck, as everyone called him, made journalism history as the bartender of the Mirage Tavern – the bar where the Chicago Sun-Times documented ubiquitous bribe-taking by city inspectors.”
The Chicago Sun-Times purchased a building with numerous violations, installed cameras and posed as the tavern’s owners while inspector after inspector came to the bar expecting to be paid-off to keep the place ‘in business.’ Recktenwald served the drinks. The investigation detailed how corrupt some city officials were and resulted in numerous charges and firings at both the city and state level.
Recktenwald came to the School of Journalism in 1998 after 20 years of working at the Chicago Tribune.
In a January interview with the Daily Egyptian, Recktenwald spoke about his retirement and recalled his first time interacting with students.
“I went for my first class and somebody suggested a textbook. I looked at the textbook and saw how it was structured out and I said ‘well, I’ll just tell them war stories,” Recktenwald said. “I had a 50 minute class and after 40 minutes, I ran out of things to say, so I said ‘dismissed.’”
Looking back on his teaching career, Recktenwald told the Daily Egyptian, “It was fun. I genuinely enjoyed dealing with students. I should spray paint ‘Reck was here’”
Tributes to Reckenwald can be found across social media. High school journalism teacher Tyler Dixon said his “heart is broken.”
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“William Recktenwald is a huge reason why I am the person and journalist I am today,” Tyler posted on Facebook. “I don’t know if I’ve ever had a conversation about journalism where I didn’t mention Reck.”
Former Chicago Tribune Investigative Reporter John Chase, who is now director of investigations at the BGA, said Recktenwald was a trailblazer and a “great man” who “was beloved for everything he did.”
Photographer and SIUC instructor Jayson Holland called Reckenwald a “true gladiator of the written word.”
“His spirit will live on in the impact he made in my life and the lives of my friends around the world,” Holland posted. “Thank you for calling it straight, keeping ’em honest and breaking the rules when need be.”
The Chicago Tribune’s editor-in-chief, Colin McMahon, wrote on Reckenwald’s condolence page saying, “He saved my butt any number of times, I am certain. And he contributed to so many stories, way beyond his many, many published bylines. Mostly, Reck was good people. He will be missed.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 23, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elizabethtown, Illinois. Memorials in his memory may be made to the church, according to his obituary.
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Wes Smith • Aug 24, 2021 at 7:37 am
Reck was old school, a reporter comfortable in any crowd, humble, soft-spoken, and tenacious. He was not ego driven. He was driven to find the truth and tell the story. His colleagues and his students were lucky to have him.
Robert Haupert • Aug 23, 2021 at 1:36 pm
Bill was my beloved Uncle, he truly was a great man.
I am saddened by his passing but am encouraged by
The love shown by his colleagues and friends.
Bill was more like a brother to me than an uncle, I recall
Many occasions spent on various adventures with him.
Bill loved flying, sailing and traveling he always had an impact on the the people around him. His was not a life that was wasted but one of remarkable beauty.
The world is a better place for all he has done, he has enriched so many by his presence here.
God be with you Bill, you are going to be missed.
Mary Elson • Aug 21, 2021 at 7:31 pm
So terribly sad to hear this news. He was the absolute barometer for figuring out what was a legitimate tip for investigative reporting at the Chicago Tribune. He always downplayed ed his skills and then wound up being one of the best teachers ever. ❤️ We all loved and respected you profoundly.
Steve Brown • Aug 21, 2021 at 2:14 pm
Bill was one of the best things to ever happen to the SIU Carbondale School of Journalism (No slight intended to anyone past or present). Top notch reporter, mentor to hundreds, a strong advocate for growth of the JSchool and a friend. Bill was the driving force for the writing and publication of the DE Centennial; Book. This news was a shock and leaves me very sad. RIP Bill. Prayers of comfort for his family
Steve Brown • Aug 21, 2021 at 12:35 pm
Bill was one the best things that ever happened to the School of Journalism,a top notch reporter, life changing mentor to many and a great friend. Words of his passing is very sad news. RIP Reck. Prayers of comfort for his family.
Brett Nauman • Aug 20, 2021 at 11:53 pm
Bill was legend. In addition to the Mirage, he went undercover as a prison guard at Pontiac Correctional Center and exposed all kinds of corruption in our state prison system during his reporting career.
Bill was also a great professor and mentor to me. He helped teach me how to be a decent reporter during my time at SIU and the DE. One time while I was investigating an unsolved murder, he accompanied me as backup while I interviewed a longtime police suspect of the crime. It was a contentious interview and I was glad he was there.
I have no doubt he mentored many others during his time at SIUC. He was a giant and his death is a big loss for journalism and the SIU community.
Ahmed Wetaka • Sep 12, 2023 at 11:42 am
I met Bill at SIU in 2004 during an exchange program. He was indeed a good fellow. Imagine i am just learning of his passing right during an investigative journalism class where i referred to his peace and decided to check online.