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Our Tribute to Bushno – No Longer With Us But Never Forgotten

“How about those Hawks!” This was the typical greeting I shared with Kurt from 2014 to sometime in 2016. Although, I will admit there could be an expletive thrown in there on occasion. It was loud, it definitely wasn’t “P.C.”, and it took on several forms (“…Cubs!”, “Can you believe those…. Bears!”). I missed it when his voice faded away while Kurt was still here and I, of course, miss it even more now that Kurt is no longer with us.

Kurt Bushno joined Asphalt Operating Services of Chicago at the beginning of operations in 2011 as a Rail Helper. At the time he was on the plus side of 50 yrs. old. Everyone here knows that when we are moving a significant quantity of cars through the Facility, this position can be “challenging” from a physical perspective. After one season’s worth of work, 30 and 40 somethings are the first in line to volunteer for another role if it becomes available. When I stepped into the management role of the Facility in late 2013, it quickly became clear that the 20 somethings needed to pay attention to what Kurt was doing so they could step up their game.

We are a relatively small group, with responsibility for a significant amount of equipment and product, in a facility that operates 24/7 – 365 days a year. Thankfully, my predecessors established a facility culture that I was able to pick up and continue; we demand a lot from our team because it is required but the environment can’t be too stiff. We all must work, but we need to have a little fun and get along with each other. Kurt fit into the atmosphere perfectly. A couple examples from those who knew him better than I did:

“Let’s face it, no one expects to develop a meaningful, impactful friendship after working somewhere for just 1 ½ years, but Kurt’s presence was gravitating. Having a bad day? He would find a way to make you forget about it. Dragging your feet coming into a long night of loading cars? Just seeing Kurt would put a little spring back in your step because it wasn’t going to be that bad.”

“This is Kurt: we are at the end of a long winter night, we’ve loaded 30 something railcars and then spent an hour or two shoveling snow so we are taking a little break in the lunchroom. In bursts Kurt, and at the top of his lungs he yells, “C’mon let’s go load another 10 cars!” Out the door he goes, like everyone is supposed to fall in line behind him. All we could do was stare at each other in disbelief and amusement. Of course, someone would be sure to yell back just before the door closed, “Sit down old man!”15-20 minutes later we’d begin to wonder if he really did head back out to the rail even though we were done there. No, we found him shoveling the dusting of snow that had fallen on the sidewalk outside even though we had just shoveled it an hour before.”    

We have shared all of this so that anyone who may be reading knows by now that Kurt was one of the “good ones”. The next chapter of the story is where Kurt proved that he was even more.

First sign for me came one evening in early 2016 although it didn’t register as that until months later. I stepped into the lunch room briefly around shift change and Kurt was talking with several other employees as one crew was preparing to leave, and his team was coming on for the night shift. As I left the room I paused and reflected on what I just heard. There was a noticeable slurring in some of Kurt’s speech. If I didn’t know any better, it almost sounded like he had spent the afternoon at the bar… nah, I knew that couldn’t be it. Months went by, and additional small changes were noticed. Our typical greeting had faded away and it was becoming clear that Kurt was avoiding interaction with me as much as possible. Finally, Kurt confided with his Team Leader and that Leader eventually shared with me that Kurt had been seeing his doctor for a couple of months trying to figure out what was wrong. Although it wasn’t official, at that point, it was likely that he was going to be diagnosed with ALS in the very near future. His biggest concern… was losing his job.

Kurt was extraordinary. This is what I will share when someone I know needs a reminder of what perseverance looks like. Work hard, play hard. Kurt had lived by this wonderfully simple motto for all his adult life. Not continuing to work hard was equivalent to not living his life as he wanted to. Despite his diagnosis and what most likely lie ahead, he didn’t want to quit, he didn’t want to lose his job, he needed to work. We committed to each other to work together, continuing to find ways for Kurt to continue working until he couldn’t persevere anymore, and that is just what he did.

Kurt passed away exactly one year ago today, November 4, 2017. We could go into details of just how difficult it was for Kurt to continue, or how stubborn he was about not asking for help, or how sad it was to witness the devastating effects of ALS on a man who worked circles around “kids” half his age. However, that isn’t why we are sharing this story with you today. Today, we remember the inspiration Kurt provided to all who knew him; continue to live your life to the fullest no matter the challenges that may come your way.

In addition to remembrance and celebration of an extraordinary life, we also would like to announce the creation of the “AOSC/Kurt Bushno Scholarship” for the City of Colleges of Chicago/Olive-Harvey College. The hope is that we can honor the memory of our inspiring “work family” member by supporting our neighbors who are working to better themselves no matter their own challenges.

We’ll never forget you, “Bush”.

On behalf of the entire “AOSC Family” – Eric Darlinger (Facility Manager)

Important links:

City Colleges of Chicago scholarship website-

http://www.ccc.edu/departments/Pages/City-Colleges-of-Chicago-Foundation.aspx

The ALS Association Greater Chicago Area website-

http://webchicago.alsa.org/site/PageServer/?pagename=CHI_homepage

AOS Brings Jobs, New Industry to South Deering

November 18th, 2010 – The recent announcement that the sale of a significant portion of the former Wisconsin Steel Works site portends better times ahead for business and industry in Southeast Chicago. The exchange follows a comprehensive environmental clean up of the land situated around 106th Street and Torrence Avenue. According to a press release issued by Navistar, the former owner of the parcel, Asphalt Operating Services of Chicago (AOSC) and unnamed partners purchased some 131 acres of the former steel works. The site is ideally suited for industrial development because of its ready access to transportation, including river, railcar and nearby Interstate highway connections.

During open public meetings last January AOSC shared detailed plans for constructing and operating an environmentally sensitive asphalt processing facility. A similar facility in suburban Bartlett, Illinois received the International Liquid Terminal Association Platinum Safety Award in the small terminal category. The new plant design calls for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designs) certification based on rating standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council for environmentally sustainable construction.

According to AOSC president Al Meitl, “during recent months AOSC has been meeting with city officials and local leaders to develop a site plan for a facility that will provide a new cluster of jobs in Southeast Chicago.

We are very excited to be part of the community and look forward to satisfying the community’s desire for safe and clean operations on a nicely landscaped, well-managed property.”

AOSC currently ships approximately 220,000 to 250,000 tons of asphalt a year, with most of the volume moving during the primary construction season running from March through December.

Asphalt shipments will arrive from BP’s Whiting refinery via railcar or barge. Outbound shipments are typically tanker truck. Asphalt is a by-product of crude oil bottoms resulting from processing heavy crude oils. The property sale includes the northern portion of the former mill’s 94-acre main property on 106th and Torrence, along with smaller offsite properties, including the 28-acre slag storage area at 100th Street and Muskegon Avenue.

Previously, two tracts totaling approximately six acres were sold to local companies.

SouthEast Chicago Observer, by Doug Knuth

A Note to Our New Neighbors

October 19, 2010 – A few days ago, AOSC purchased a portion the former Wisconsin Steel Works property near 106th Street and Torrence Avenue. We will begin redeveloping the site without delay.

AOSC is a liquids terminal service company that stores, handles and ships bulk liquid products for the petroleum industry. You’ll be pleased to learn that the facility design will have LEED certification, based on the rating standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council for environmentally sustainable construction. LEED refers to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Our sister company, AOS in Bartlett, Illinois, has excellent safety and environmental records that will set the high standard for our Chicago operations.

Earlier this year, when we announced our development plans, we met many community neighbors during a series of meetings with southeast Chicago residents, environmental groups, business representatives and local leaders. We will host another community meeting very soon to update you as the development activities get underway. Just like before, the meeting date, time and location will be published right here, in the Observer.

Construction will begin right away on our new facility in South Deering. You’ll begin seeing construction activities in the coming days, as heavy equipment and materials begin arriving at the site.

Once the facility opens for operation in 2011, approximately 35 new on-site jobs will be created. Information about job requirements and salaries and the application process for future job opportunities will be shared with you as soon as possible.

At this milestone, we’d like to thank 10th Ward Alderman John A. Pope for his supportive role in guiding us through the rigorous City process. His efforts helped to make this project possible, along with the new jobs it brings to Southeast Chicago.

We are ready to start building our future here.

We look forward to working with you.

AOSC purchases former steel mill property

October 18, 2010 – Chicago, Illinois – Asphalt Operating Services of Chicago, LLC today announced that it has purchased the site that will host its new Southeast Chicago storage facility. The site is located near 106th Street and Torrence Avenue. AOSC is a liquids terminal service company that stores, handles and ships bulk liquid products for the petroleum industry. AOSC and its partners purchased 131 acres of the former Wisconsin Steel Works from Navistar, Inc.

In January, 2010, AOSC announced its development plans through a series of meetings with southeast Chicago residents, environmental groups, business representatives and local leaders. The meetings focused on the AOSC site plan and operations. The AOSC facility design calls for LEED certification, based on the rating standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council for environmentally sustainable construction. LEED refers to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

AOSC president Al Meitl, noted that, “During recent months, AOSC has been meeting with city representatives and local leaders to develop a site plan for a facility that will provide a new cluster of jobs in Southeast Chicago. We are very excited to be part of the community and look forward to satisfying the community’s desire for safe and clean operations on a nicely landscaped, well-managed property.” Approximately 35 permanent jobs will available once the facility is constructed in 2011.