Photo by Genie Lemieux, Evanston Photographic Studios

In a hastily planned but enthusiastically attended drive-by ceremony, friends and admirers of Hecky Powell met at the Morton Civic Center on the afternoon of May 24. With a police escort, dozens of cars drove past Mr. Powell’s home, honking and waving at his widow, Cheryl Judice. Quarantined by COVID-19 but so far asymptomatic, she sat alone in her yard to observe the procession.

Mr. Powell died on Friday from COVID-19. A memorial service is planned for next May.

Mary Gavin is the founder of the Evanston RoundTable. After 23 years as its publisher and manager, she helped transition the RoundTable to nonprofit status in 2021. She continues to write, edit, mentor...