A Chicago man killed in a massive pileup in northwest Indiana on Thursday was a very private, family man who enjoyed spending time with his dog, those who knew him said.
Jerry Dalrymple, 65, was one of three people who died on a snow-covered Interstate 94 near Michigan City in a crash involving more than 40 vehicles. His 7-year-old black Labrador, Sparky, also died.
"He loved walking Sparky along the lake," his oldest daughter, Laura Kelly, told the Chicago Tribune Friday morning.
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Kelly said her father was a caring, compassionate man who loved the outdoors. He'd been on his way to a second home he used for recreation when he was killed, Kelly said.
Dalrymple lived on the 9000 block of South Bell Avenue, in the city's Beverly neighborhood. Ryan Wakeley said he'd known Dalrymple for more than 20 years and was an excellent neighbor and friend.
"He was just a great guy, really calm. We share some of the same interests in things," said Wakeley. "He was a good guy all the way around."
Dalrymple was a band director at Luther High School North, now known as Luther North College Prep, during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He later transitioned to banking. His account on LinkedIn indicated he worked at Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
"My first thought was oh my goodness, how could this have happened," neighbor Erin Muldoon-Stetson said. "He was just a special person. He's one of those people you just always expect to be there."
Dalrymple's attorney, Thomas Scannell of Scannell and Associates, stressed that the family wants their privacy to deal with their loss.
