Suzi Carmichael and Hal Carmichael were present Friday to assist the unveiling of a large plaque that will hang in the Dune Park South Shore station dedicating it to the memory of their late husband and father.

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District chairman Mark Catanzarite of St. Joseph County said William Carmichael, who passed away Dec. 6, 2008, was the longest serving board member of NICTD, a public agency that owns and operates the South Shore Railroad.

Carmichael, of Chesterton and a former Porter County Commissioner and Porter County Council member, served on the NICTD board for 24 years and led it as chairman from 1982 to 1992.

The approximately 24-inch by 30-inch, 70-pound bronze plaque bears an engraved likeness of Carmichael.

The inscription said Carmichael worked tirelessly to improve and expand the commuter rail service. "Through his leadership, determination and vision Dune Park became the first new station after the creation of NICTD."

"We all owe him a debt of gratitude for this railroad and station," said Catanzarite, telling Suzi and Hal that the board also appreciates what the family's contributed in letting Bill devote the time needed to serve on NICTD.

The plaque, presented from the NICTD board and dated Friday, will be affixed inside the station, located on the north side of U.S. 12 just east of Indiana 49. NICTD's administrative offices adjoin the station.

NICTD, which includes Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph counties, operates electric passenger trains between South Bend and Chicago and carries approximately 4 million passengers a year.