Mary Kay Ungurean, the widow of Karl Ungurean, holds a small replica of a statue depicting her late husband during a statue unveiling ceremony on Monday, July 22, outside the Quad-City Times building in Davenport. David Ungurean, the son of Mr. Ungurean, is also shown in the photo. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
A life-sized statue of Karl Ungurean now stands in downtown Davenport. The statue, wearing a Quad-City Times Bix 7 race shirt, appears to be urging runners on as it holds a stopwatch in its right hand. But the many people who knew and loved the late Mr. Ungurean are quick to point out that he […]
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A life-sized statue of Karl Ungurean now stands in downtown Davenport. The statue, wearing a Quad-City Times Bix 7 race shirt, appears to be urging runners on as it holds a stopwatch in its right hand.But the many people who knew and loved the late Mr. Ungurean are quick to point out that he was a lot more than just a runner; he was a community leader, a person who helped many people and an American success story, according to friends and family members.
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A statue of Karl Ungurean (middle) now stands outside the Quad-City Times building at Bix Plaza, 500 E. 3rd St., Davenport. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Karl Ungurean
David Ungurean, the son of Karl Ungurean, tells a story about his late father during a statue unveiling ceremony on Monday, July 22, outside the Quad-City Times building in Davenport. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Paul Schmidt, assistant race director of the Quad-City Times Bix 7 race, holds a cookie depicting the late Karl Ungurean, during a statue unveiling ceremony on Monday, July 22, outside the Quad-City Times building in Davenport. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
A life-sized statue of Karl Ungurean is unveiled.
Sculptor Chris Bennett of Keosauqua, Iowa, attends the ceremony.
Ed Froehlich, race director of the Bix 7 from 1980 to 2019, attends the ceremony.
Cookies showing Karl Ungurean were served at the ceremony.
“Karl was more than a runner. He was a mentor. … and a true community hero,” said Michelle Juehring, race director of the Quad-City Times Bix 7, during a statue-unveiling ceremony on Monday, July 22, outside the Quad-City Times building at Bix Plaza, 500 E. 3rd St., Davenport. The plaza now has seven statues of people involved with the Bix 7 race and the Times newspaper. In addition to Mr. Ungurean, those statues include the late Bill Wundram, the former longtime columnist with the Times; Daniel Hayes, a former longtime editor of the Times and supporter of the Bix 7 race; the late jazz legend Bix Beiderbecke; Ed Froehlich, race director of the Bix 7 from 1980 to 2019; and champion runners Joan Benoit Samuelson and Bill Rodgers.One of the highlights of Monday’s ceremony was the unveiling of the statue to reveal the likeness of Mr. Ungurean.Mr. Ungurean was one of the founders of the Cornbelt Running Club in 1975. He also served as the second Bix 7 race director. Race officials announced during an April meeting that a statue honoring Mr. Ungurean would be installed.Monday’s ceremony, which attracted more than 100 people, included a celebration, complete with live music and cookies depicting Mr. Ungurean. It also featured praise for the statue’s creator, sculptor Chris Bennett of Keosauqua, Iowa; and a gift for Mr. Ungurean’s family – a small replica of the statue that was presented to his widow, Mary Kay Ungurean.But most of Monday’s event centered on remembering and honoring the former community leader.“This guy was just fantastic. … I could tell you story after story, but Karl has probably already told you all of them,” said Mr. Froehlich, race director emeritus of the Bix 7 race. (Mr. Froehlich was a friend of Mr. Ungurean for almost 50 years.)Some of the stories that were told during the ceremony is how Mr. Ungurean once ran three marathons in a span of just a few days; how he got shot in the finger when was a young man; how he moved to the U.S. after World War II; and how he helped many people in the community during his years in the Quad Cities.“My dad was an American success story. … I guarantee he is smiling down on us right now. This is a special day and one that would have filled my dad’s heart,” said David Ungurean, Mr. Ungurean’s son, during an emotional speech during the unveiling ceremony.Ms. Juehring added that Mr. Froehlich was a remarkable person who left a “huge mark” on the Quad Cities with all his good deeds and volunteer work.Mr. Ungurean, who died on Dec. 10, 2022, was born in Romania. His family moved to Austria several years later. In 1954, the family moved to Davenport, under the sponsorship of his uncle. He and his father spent weeks walking downtown looking for jobs. The young man’s first job in the Quad Cities was pulling nails from a demolished house for 15 cents an hour, according to his obituary.Mr. Ungurean was eventually employed by the Uchtorff Company for 45 years, retiring as the senior applications engineer.Over the years, he ran 56 marathons including the Boston Marathon twice, according to his obituary.Monday’s statue unveiling was the first of several events on the week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bix 7 race. Some of the other events this week will include:
Today (Tuesday, July 23): The Bechtel Trust Senior Bix: 6 p.m. at Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf, west lot.
Thursday, July 25: 5-9 p.m. Running Wild Sports and Fitness Expo, RiverCenter, Davenport; 6-9 p.m.; Brady Street Sprints Party, MLK Park; 7 p.m.: Genesis Sports Med Brady Street Sprints, starting line is 5th and Brady streets in downtown.
Friday, July 26: 8 a.m.: Shakeout Run at Quad-City Times; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Running Wild Sports and Fitness Expo; 3-5 p.m.: Pre-Race Party, St. Ambrose University, Rogalski Center; 5:15-6 p.m.; and an autograph session at RiverCenter starting at 5:15 p.m.; 6 p.m.: Arconic Jr. Bix.
Saturday, July 27: 8 a.m. Quad-City Times Bix 7 race starts and Prairie Farms Quick Bix starts; 8-11 a.m.: WalMart Post Race Party; 10 a.m., Top 10 at 10 event; 11 a.m., age group awards at R. Richard Bittner YMCA in downtown.