×
×
homepage logo

City dedicates new bridge that bears plaque honoring late council member

By Staff | Apr 9, 2025

Shawn F. Linenberger/Staff

Members of the late Rocky Himpel’s family join Tonganoxie city officials for a dedication of the new bridge and pedestrian walkway at the Fourth Street Bridge on Monday in Tonganoxie. Pictured with the Himpel family are Mayor David Frese and Council Members Jennifer McCutchen and Matt Partridge. The plaque on the bridge recognizes Himpel for his service on the city council.

Tonganoxie officially celebrated the opening of a new bridge with a dedication that honors a former city council member.

City officials gathered at the new Fourth Street bridge and pedestrian walkway east of the downtown area alongside the family of the late Rocky Himpel.

Himpel was a former Tonganoxie City Council member and pro tem who was serving his second term on the council when he died in July 2022 at the age of 69.

Shawn F. Linenberger/Staff

This plaque adorns the new bridge on East Fourth Street. An identical plaque will be placed on the other side facing the pedestrian walkway.

He was a longtime public servant, as he also was a member of the Oskaloosa City Council from 1992-97 (he served as mayor from 1997-99). A 1970 Tonganoxie High School graduate, Himpel was elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021 on the Tonganoxie City Council. He also was appointed planning commissioner for the Leavenworth County Planning and Zoning Board in 2019.

While a member of the city council, Himpel helped in the growth of the city and served an integral part in the city council approving an agreement with Hill’s Pet Nutrition for a manufacturing facility at Tonganoxie Business Park.

Himpel, who also served as Pro Tem on the Tonganoxie City Council, contributed to the completion of several projects as a member of the Tonganoxie governing body, such as the new public library, an interceptor sanitary sewer and water line to Tonganoxie Business Park, reconstruction of the Church Street bridge and other infrastructure improvements.

Mayor David Frese noted how dedicated Himpel was to infrastructure and that he was adamant about sidewalks and crosswalks. That included ensuring that sidewalks were well-maintained and clean.

Frese described Himpel as “a great, great guy,” as Frese got to know Himpel serving on the city council together. He also noted that a sidewalk was a must for Himpel when early discussions on the bridge renovations took place a few years ago.

The mayor said the bridge has been completely paid off and it bears a plaque indicating it being dedicated to Himpel’s memory.

“Rocky just love this community and loved working in city government and we’re glad we could honor him in this way,” Frese said after the dedication.

Himpel’s wife, Mary, was on hand with several other family members to celebrate the bridge.

“Thank you for this dedication,” she said.

City Manager George Brajkovic explained that plans for the plaque called for it to be placed on the pedestrian side of the bridge. The plaque faces the road on the south side of the bridge, but the company will be installing an identical plaque on the pedestrian side of the bridge so that those walking by can view it.