
Alan F. Bombick, principal and urban designer at Legat Architects, passed away at age 61
This week, Legat Architects mourns the tremendous loss of Alan F. Bombick, a highly influential figure in urban design, a maverick in the architecture/engineering/construction industry, and a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
We honor Alan’s vast contributions to the built environment, but also celebrate the spirit he brought to interactions and the many traits that made him a revered fixture at Legat: his quirky grin, his quick wit, and his love of techno music and automobiles.
“We remember Alan as the eternal optimist who always found a way to bring together the best team to make our projects successful,” said Patrick Brosnan, Legat’s president/CEO. “His passion for design and his curiosity about how people respond to places led to projects that improved thousands of lives.”
Alan’s many career highlights include award-winning overseas developments and iconic facilities throughout Chicagoland. He approached every project, whether it was a massive urban development or a small structure, with intensity and a quest for excellence.

Alan grew up in Brookfield, Illinois and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He launched his career at the Chicago and London offices of renowned international firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), then joined major European design firm Ricardo Bofill as a senior architect and planner.
His design accomplishments during those formative years range from highrises in Chicago’s Loop to major urban developments in England, France, Spain, and Taiwan. Some of Alan’s coworkers have speculated that his early efforts to relax stringent standards for London architecture helped pave the way for many of the modern masterpieces the city has today.
Alan joined Legat in 1992 and was appointed principal in 1995. His influence advanced many facets of the firm, from planning and design to marketing and human resources.
Berry DeSimone, the firm’s chief operating officer, said, “Alan’s tenacity and sophistication were instrumental in not only growing the firm’s commercial/corporate portfolio, but also in building its reputation as a major Chicago design firm since we opened our West Loop office in 1996.”
Among the many projects that Alan guided were the ABC7’s Chicago State Street studio renovation, Hyatt Place Chicago-South/University Center, and Harper College’s Avanté Center.
“Alan helped us advance our skills in and understanding of large-scale urban projects,” said fellow associate and U of I classmate Casey Frankiewicz. “His knowledge of the Chicago real estate market and his extensive network of industry leaders broke new ground for us and we are better for it.”
One inspirational quote that Alan kept at his desk was from General George S. Patton. It said, “BE BOLD!” Alan’s drive to reach beyond the status quo embodied this advice. He never settled and always pushed his design teams to consider more, study more, and produce more.
Whether he was toiling over website navigation, the most enticing material color, or the perfect crop for a photo, Alan’s focus on details touched all parts of the profession. He valued intellectual debate and listened to arguments from staff at all levels of their careers. He would even change his original belief and wholeheartedly support a solidly reasoned concept.
One of Alan’s most recent achievements was the design of a storage building at the pioneering IBEW/IN-TECH Renewable Energy Training Field in Alsip, Illinois. Initial plans called for a standard concrete box, but Alan campaigned for and eventually designed what became a campus highlight: an intriguingly shaped storage building that not only draws attention to the field from the expressway, but also aims for net zero energy efficiency.
Alan’s dedication to the profession extended to mentoring the next generation of architects. He frequently returned to U of I to critique design projects and recruit employees, and he worked closely with our emerging professionals within the office.
During critiques, he had a reputation for being respectful, but challenging. Alan wanted his comments to prepare students for real client criticisms. He encouraged them to “let the architecture do the talking” as much as possible.
Another of Alan’s contributions to the design community was his membership in Lambda Alpha International, a society that connects top professionals in land economics issues. He represented the architectural profession among a community of thought leaders including zoning attorneys, developers, land planners, and others.
Alan also spent 20 years giving back to his own community as a member of the Arlington Heights Design Commission, where he balanced the community’s preference for historical architecture with his own fondness of modernism.
Coworker and fellow Arlington Heights resident Steve Blye remembers a retailer wanted to move into a modernist-looking former bank branch building. The architect planned to do away with the clean design, but Alan convinced the architect and retailer to express the existing architecture while saving time and money.
During his free time, Alan cross-country skied, biked, and indulged his love of cars. He never stopped tinkering with his BMW in his garage, and loved to throw the Beemer around curves and speed down freeways.
“Alan was an architect’s architect,” said Legat principal and senior vice president Jeffrey Sronkoski. “Many will sorely miss him.”
All of us at Legat extend our deepest sympathy to Alan’s family. His creativity and passion, as well as his laughter, guidance, and friendship will echo in our projects and in our hearts.
We encourage you to share your comments and memories of Alan below.
Michael Szkatulski says
Alan had a unique combination of intelligence and humility which made him a pleasure to work with, or just be around. He will be missed.
Ron Kizanecki says
Alan was a great architect that I had the pleasure to work with on many projects, his passion, knowledge and experience will be greatly missed
Charles R. Stack says
I just now learned of Alan’s passing from a friend, and am saddened to hear of this loss. I knew Alan since first grade and through high-school and University of Illinois in Urbana, where we became close and attended many fine concerts and lectures together. I celebrated his many career successes and am pleased that he made such a huge impact throughout his brilliant and inspiring career. My wife Ginny and I send condolences to his associates at Legat Architects, and we know he is missed by all. Very best wishes, Chuck and Ginny Stack, Aurora IL
Jeff Blei says
Wonderfully written tribute to an old friend. Al was the kindest and most gentle of Giants in our K-12 class. At an early age he was Mr. Collaboration. I’m so happy he had a great career, community and family life.
Thanks again for the beautiful tribute.
Gail Ann J Goldstead says
My former colleague, Alan Bombick was a good friend and great mentor, will be missed. My condolences to his family and to Legat Architects.
J. Neale Scotty says
Alan was an early and good friend “in the business”. We only periodically retouched every year or so at SOM Alumni or ULI gatherings. Always a pleasant reconnection and an involving discussion whenever we did reconnect.
It’s sad to learn this news. Condolences to his family and colleagues.
Michael Venere says
Yesterday (9/25/17) a friend from college reached out to me out of the blue. We lived in the same dorm and floor as Alan. My friend told me he passed last year. I was deeply saddened. I lived next door to “Al” during his freshman and sophomore years at U of I. I knew him when a career in architecture was just a twinkle in his eye. I remember him taking his toothpick project to class to see if it would bare the weight or collapse (pass/fail). He turned me on to Todd Rundgren. We would have creative discussions at the cafeteria. I was there when he met Diane (his wife). We lost contact in 1976. Reading all of his accomplishments above, I’m so proud to have known him during a couple of his formative years and see where his passion for architecture took him. Even though it’s been 40 years since we last spoke, I will miss him.
Iwona Mroz says
I am very sorry to find out that Alan Bombick died. He was my first boss from all architectural places I went through. These were the best years in my carrier. We had many parties, picnics, and outings.