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In Memory

Richard Hurckes

Richard Hurckes

It is with a heavy heart that I write this. Dick passed away Friday, July 5th peacefully at home in his bed.  Our family was all together and Dick was surrounded with love. We are so grateful for all of our family and friends that have reached out in the last few months during these difficult times. The celebration of life for Dick will be held Saturday, July 13th at Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel from 3-7. If you are attending, please come in casual clothes. Dick would have loved to see some Chicago Cubs and Bears shirts/hats, and would have begrudgingly accepted Broncos clothes.  In lieu of flowers, Dick wanted donations to go to St. Jude's or Ronald McDonald house.  

 
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07/10/19 06:35 PM #5    

David Halperin

I remember my high school years with Dick fondly  It appears his was a life well lived & especially well loved

 

 

 


08/05/23 04:23 AM #6    

Robert Witanowski

OBITUARY

Richard Bartholomew Hurckes

MARCH 24, 1945 – JULY 5, 2019
Obituary of Richard Bartholomew Hurckes

Dick was born in Wisconsin Rapids, WI on March 24th,1945. His parents, Dorothy and Leo, had 5 children- Pete, Paul, Bob, Dick, and Pat. His dad traveled as a salesman and the family lived in a one bedroom house in Wisconsin Rapids. Dick was the second youngest of the family. When Dick was 5, his family moved to a house in Park Forest, IL where he would spend his entire childhood. He went to Rich East High School where he was an offensive linemen on the football team and got a scholarship to North Dakota State. He went to North Dakota state for a year or two and then transferred to SIU. 

A friend from high school called me one day and asked if I would like to go out with Bob’s brother Dick. I thought “Sure, why not?”. That was in Aug 1970. The minute I met Dick I immediately liked him. He was so down to earth, unassuming, compassionate, and had such a great sense of humor. He was so quick to have a witty comeback and had such a great smile. 

Dick didn’t have a car so I would always pick him up in my ‘65 Chevy. ( I think he paid for the gas.) Dick and I dated for 3 weeks after which he proposed and 6 months later we were married. He proposed in my car and caught me off guard. I made him pull over because I was shocked that he proposed while driving. I didn’t know what to say. I did not say yes right away but eventually I did and it was the best decision of my life.

Dick and I got married in a small ceremony at Faith United Protestant Church in Park Forest, IL on Feb 27, 1971. Dick was planning on returning to SIU, but decided to stay home and continue his job at Sears. He turned that into a career, and retired after 30 successful years. We lived in an apartment close to his work for a year and then bought our house in Park Forest where we lived for 30 years. 

2 ½ years after we got married we had our son Jeff. It was instantly obvious that Dick was an amazing parent. 5 years later our daughter, Jodi, was born. He did everything he could possibly do as a father. From changing diapers, reading to them, and taking us all on countless camping trips and long vacations. 

We left Park Forest after 30 years and moved to Colorado. Dick always said he didn’t want to die in Illinois. Dick worked on designing our beautiful Colorado house for a year. We spent 19 wonderful years together in the house he designed. Dick was so smart. He always had a project going either inside or outside of the house. He would buy a book on whatever he was working on and figure it out. 

He loved almost anything sports related, especially golfing and fishing. He loved to read, he always had a book in his hand. And Dick really loved to dance. He was just full of life, and touched everybody he met in a positive way. He was a great father, husband, friend, brother, and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Theo, his children, Jeff and Jodi, his grandchildren Jonny and Lukah, his brothers Bob, Paul, and his sister, Pat. 

 

 


08/06/23 01:35 PM #7    

Raymond Brindle

Great guy. Easy going, friendly, always ready to help. RIP 


08/06/23 07:14 PM #8    

Sondra Davis (Wilson)

I moved out of Illinois and got a new life after college traveling the world and then settling into life in Eastern Washington State. I remember Dick. He was always so kind to me. I'm so sorry he's gone. My thoughts to his family. 


08/06/23 10:22 PM #9    

David Clayton

I didn't know Dick very well but I always got a good feeling about him as a personality. 

I'm sorry for his family and friends. I hope their grieving is cathartic for them. 

Dave Clayton


08/07/23 01:45 PM #10    

Phil Goldman

Dick was a year older but we played football on the 1963 Rockets, he was a great player always hustled and was very motivated.

We really didn't hang out in high school that much but a few years later we both took off a semestr in college and then we hung out quite a bit.

It was Dick, myself, Carl Kuester, Bob Nekas we were kind of just being crazy!!!

I reished that year we spent together just a great lovable friend, so happy he had a great life and what more really can ask for!!!

Very sad for his family, but it sounds like the were close and loving.

Phil Goldman


08/07/23 05:04 PM #11    

Lee Biard

I remember Dick fairly well. At almost 78 years, memories get cloudy. He was always kind to me. Thoughts and prayers for his family.

Lee Biard


08/08/23 01:47 PM #12    

Susan (Sue) Klinger (Nally)

I believe Dick lived on Ash Street which is where many of us lived, played and went to school.  I remember Dick has a gentle, sweet person.  He nailed it when he said he didn't want to die in Illinois.  We too moved to Colorado over 20 years ago.  It's God's country, and he will take care of Dick.  RIP


08/12/23 04:02 AM #13    

Bill Paul

It is always heartbreaking when you find out about the death of a good friend. I worked with Dick at the Park Forest Sears Store. It wa a like working with the class. A couple of stories about Dick and Sears. The first one was you were supposed to get your stuff and purchase your items from the company store. Well one story and maybe Theo can confirm this as Dick had his tires worked on by the shop and the story I heard he got about a mile amd that was it. I will always remember Carl Kuester and Dick mixing it up a little. These were at party's and I remember one at Deeny Fischers houes and Dick and Carl were going to go at it. Well me having a few was going to break this up. Denny grabbed me and said let it go. My goodness I was 5'7 and weghed 135. thank god for Denny. The crazy thing is these to guys were good buddies. Stars on the football team etc. I will miss Richard and feel sad that because of our locations  we could not have spent more time together. I will leave this that there were a ton of more stories mostly humorously storys Dick rest in peace my friend  Bill Paul


08/12/23 04:09 AM #14    

Bill Paul

Bless you all for being there.


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