Cletis Foley was the quintessential 20th-century modernist architect, ready to throw off the “shackles” of classical architectural dogma and detailing in favor of a sleek, clean and altogether new paradigm that was bold and powerful in its simplicity. Not only did he believe in the beauty engendered by this approach, he also believed in its transformative power to make society a better place.

Richard Doyle was a trailblazing Peoria architect who designed many of the iconic, distinctively beautiful Mid-Century Modern buildings that have defined the Greater Peoria region, from Bradley University’s historic Robertson Memorial Fieldhouse to Peoria Heights’ Village Hall, The Forest Park Foundation Building, Prospect Mall, Peoria Heights Congregational Church, Tower Park and the original Peoria Heights Kelly Avenue Library, now the Betty Jayne Brimmer Center for the Performing Arts.

“This place wouldn’t be the same without him.” So said one of Bill Rutherford’s admirers 20 years ago when the Journal Star led off its local “Legacy Project” series chronicling the accomplishments of the “conservationist/lawyer/dreamer” who left an indelible imprint on his hometown ... and on a young man from Spring Bay named Kim Blickenstaff, who would grow up to become an entrepreneur and philanthropist in his own right, continuing in much the same vein as the Rutherford he now calls his mentor.