Richard T. Sikes

In addition to being a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great-uncle and friend, Richard (Dick as he was known to most) had a diverse number of interests including being an avid bridge player (shout out to the Monday Night Bridge Group), pyrotechnics (including having served as a founding member and General Counsel for the Pyrotechnics Guild International), stamp collector, gardener, birdwatcher, fisherman, star gazer, train buff and hobbyist, historian, music lover, pianist (love that ragtime), and ballroom dancer. Dick served proudly as a Sergeant in the US Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict from 1952-54. Professionally, after graduating Loyola University with a degree in Philosophy and a JD from Loyola Law School, Dick started his legal career in private practice and with the Travelers Insurance Company. Soon after, he completed five years of notable service as an Assistant US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. In later years Dick was primarily a general practice attorney with an emphasis in criminal defense. While Dick's accomplishments were many, we will always remember Dick as a stern, kind, and loving patriarch, a rock on which many have leaned, and with advice always peppered (and heavily salted) with his wry sense of humor. As a devout Catholic, Dick practiced what he preached and touched many. During his forty-nine years residence in the Beverly neighborhood, Dick served as an Extraordinary Minister at St. Barnabas Church as well as a Lector for weekly masses. He also mentored many young husbands in the neighborhood through the Christ Renews His Parish program. Marie and Dick were married in 1950 and have served as a remarkable example to others through their incredible nearly sixty-seven years journey in a marriage of deep love and faith. Our sorrow is lessened in remembering Dick in all that we see and commemorate his life as he would have wanted, with joy, celebration and possibly a fireworks display.