Joseph Kromelis

Joseph Kromelis (1947 – December 11, 2022) known as 'Walking Man' or 'Walking Dude'[1][2] was a Chicago-area homeless man and street vendor known for his "striking" appearance and for often meandering the city, which gave him his nickname. He often wore a v-neck t-shirt, suit with a kerchief and long, wavy hair[3] and mustache.[4]

Kromelis was born in either Germany or Lithuania and moved to Chicago when a child with his family. The family managed a bar on Halsted street and Kromelis found work in a factory, but later obtained a peddler's license[5] and sold jewelry for income while wandering the Loop.[6]

Over decades, he became a "fixture"[7] in Chicago and was the subject of a documentary called "Dudementary".[8] Kromelis would state about his notoriety: “I’m like the Kardashians — I’m famous for doing nothing.”[9]

Assaults

In 2016, Kromelis was assaulted with a baseball bat and after hospitalization his name and some details about his background became public.[10]

The scene where Kromelis was lit on fire on lower Wabash avenue.[11] Burn mark visible on garage door.

On May 25, 2022, Kromelis was the victim of an arson attack[12] while he slept under a bridge. The attack left him with burns over 40-65%[13] of his body.[14]

Death

Kromelis died on December 11, 2022, at the age of 75.[15][16][17] After donations, his remains were interred in St. Boniface Cemetery.[18]

References
  1. "Thousands raised, but 'Walking Dude' may walk away from it all". Chicago Sun-Times. 2016-06-01. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  2. Ph.d, Dr Neil Gale (2020-04-21). "The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™: The Story of Chicago's "Walking Man." Joseph "Joe" Kromelis. (1947-Dec 11, 2022)". The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  3. Schmich, Mary (2019-11-05). Even the Terrible Things Seem Beautiful to Me Now: On Hope, Loss, and Wearing Sunscreen. Agate+ORM. ISBN 978-1-57284-836-8.
  4. "Chicago's homeless 'Walking Man' dies after May arson attack". SFGATE. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  5. Dahlman, Steven. "More than $30k raised for 'Walking Dude,' recovering from assault on Lower Wacker". Loop North News. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  6. Ph.d, Dr Neil Gale (2020-04-21). "The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™: The Story of Chicago's "Walking Man." Joseph "Joe" Kromelis. (1947-Dec 11, 2022)". The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  7. "Mystery of Chicago's 'Walking Man' solved, but only after he's beaten and hospitalized". Los Angeles Times. 2016-05-27. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  8. Dahlman, Steven. "Mockumentary on River North's 'Walking Dude' surpasses 10,000 YouTube hits". Loop North News. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  9. Ph.d, Dr Neil Gale (2020-04-21). "The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™: The Story of Chicago's "Walking Man." Joseph "Joe" Kromelis. (1947-Dec 11, 2022)". The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  10. "'Walking Man' loses some privacy as a result of beating". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  11. "The Rundown: Remembering Chicago's "Walking Man"". WBEZ Chicago. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  12. "Chicago's "Walking Man" dies months after being set on fire". CBS News. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  13. "Chicago's 'walking man' dies nearly seven months after being set on fire". The Guardian. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  14. Ph.d, Dr Neil Gale (2020-04-21). "The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™: The Story of Chicago's "Walking Man." Joseph "Joe" Kromelis. (1947-Dec 11, 2022)". The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  15. "Chicago's 'Walking Man' dies at 75 from complications of injuries caused by May gasoline attack". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  16. "'Walking Man' dies months after being set on fire: 'An absolute Chicago character'". Chicago Sun-Times. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  17. "Chicago's homeless 'Walking Man' dies after May arson attack". SFGATE. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  18. https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/1/5/23540965/walking-man-joseph-kromelis-burial-funeral


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