Joe La Pat, an Army veteran and a longtime supporter of Chicago charities, died suddenly and unexpectedly in his home Sun., June 29. La Pat and his partner of 39 years, Dick Uyvari, were frequent backers of numerous gay organizations, including the Center on Halsted and Gay Games VII in Chicago.
La Pat was born Nov. 28, 1943, in Racine, Wis. He was the youngest of four children born to Frank and Victoria La Pat. His father died when Joe was just three, and when Joe was 15 his mother remarried, to Walter Smolarek. He attended Horlick High School in Racine, and worked at Goldblatt's after high school.
In 1964, La Pat enlisted in the Army, serving for three years, including in Germany, where he was a member of the military police. He was a master sergeant, and part of his duties included escorting top-secret transport of nuclear weapons between France and Germany. He served the military with distinction.
After his military service ended, La Pat continued to work for Goldblatt's for an additional seven years, in Racine; Crestwood, Ill.; and Chicago. On May 25, 1969, La Pat and Uyvari met at the Castaways bar in Milwaukee, and it was love at first sight. They were together for 39 years, until La Pat's death. They liked to comment that they met exactly five weeks before the Stonewall Riots in New York that sparked the modern gay-rights movement.
The couple moved to the Chicago area, first to Tinley Park in 1970. Soon after they began investing in rental properties, and their company, Aremco, ran from 1971-2003. Their first property was a three-flat plus a coach house on the 800 block of West Newport, in the heart of what would become Boystown more than a decade later. The couple also ran a restaurant on Bryn Mawr for a brief time in the 1970s, The Tiffany Touch, which they renamed Jo-Di's.
As a couple, La Pat and Uyvari were key supporters of the Center on Halsted building campaign. They also were part of the Strike Against AIDS bowling benefits, and made available a property that became the first location used by Chicago House, a residence for people with AIDS. In 2006, they were critical financial supporters of Gay Games VII, underwriting the scholarship program that helped to bring athletes from around the world. They also helped retire the Gay Games debt by creating a matching fund.
"Without the support of Dick and Joe, the Gay Games could not have brought in athletes from South Africa, Croatia and beyond," said Tracy Baim, co vice-chair of the Chicago Gay Games board, and a friend of the couple. "Joe was always the quiet one, but when he heard the story of the South African soccer team, he became a passionate advocate to bring them to the U.S. He believed strongly in the mission of the Gay Games, and he and Dick were our biggest allies."
Other charities they supported included Misericordia, a campus for children and adults with developmental disabilities. They also supported many environmental and animal-rights groups, among other numerous charities. La Pat played important behind-the-scenes roles for the early Proud to Run race benefits and for bowling tournaments. The couple opened their home for a benefit for future judge Tom Chiola, and also volunteered for his campaign to become the first openly gay elected official in Illinois. In 2007, they both donated for the first time to a national political race, in support of Barack Obama's presidential campaign on the first day he started to accept online donations.
"He always was a pillar of support in the background that allowed me to be the front guy," Uyvari said. "Without him I could not have done any of the things I did."
His generosity for family, friends and community, was limitless, even when it meant personal sacrifice for him. He was a gracious host, "an All-American man who also loved taking care of the home," Uyvari said. "He loved gardening, cooking, anything around the house."
"He was the sweetest, most generous, and considerate person, and also a very hard worker," said Mary Therese Carter, Dick Uyvari's sister.
La Pat was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather Victoria and Walter Smolarek; and his life partner's brothers Robert and Mark Uyvari. He is survived by his life partner Dick Uyvari; his sisters Delores ( Dee ) Veselik and her husband Philip, Mary Ann Andersen and her husband Larry, and Patricia ( Pat ) Barth, all of Racine; 12 nieces and nephews; Dick's brothers Michael Uyvari of Denver, Joseph Uyvari of Dallas, Christopher Uyvari of Philadelphia; Dick's sister Mary Therese Carter of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and five nieces and nephews on the Uyvari side. He is also survived by his beloved cats Tommy and Murphy.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Center on Halsted.
A public memorial will be held on Saturday, July 26, noon-3 p.m. at Misericordia Heart of Mercy, 6300 N. Ridge Ave. in Chicago. A private memorial will be held July 12 in his native Racine, Wisc. For information, e-mail Tracy Baim at editor@windycitymediagroup.com .
For a 2007 video interview with La Pat, see www.ChicagoGayHistory.org .