Dr. Richard P. O'Connor Jr.

He was born to the late Richard P. O’Connor Sr. and Ruth C. (Kupfer) O’Connor on March 31, 1950 in Newark, NJ. His family moved to Edina, MN where he spent his childhood.

In 1974, Richard married Anitra Lindquist in Palatine, IL.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife Anitra of Peoria, children, Kerstin (Tim Christiansen) O’Connor of Chicago, Paul O’Connor of Rolla, MO, and Martin (Maurissa) O’Connor of Champaign, granddaughters, Clara and Alice Christiansen, brother, John O’Connor of Dubuque, IA, and sister, Peggy O’Connor of Lincoln, NE.

Richard attended Augustana College in Rock Island, IL where he earned his BA in biology with a concentration in pre-medicine in 1972. He earned his MD from University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria in 1976, and went on to complete an internal medicine residency at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. He completed an infectious disease fellowship in 1981 at the University of Michigan.

Richard spent his medical career at OSF St. Francis Medical Center and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria before joining occupational medicine at Caterpillar.

Throughout his career, Richard enjoyed sharing his passion for medicine with the medical students and residents he taught. Most of all, he cherished time spent with his family.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 AM at Salem Lutheran Church in Peoria on Thursday, March 17, 2022, with a memorial service beginning at 11:00 AM. Pastor Craig Swenson will officiate. In respect of Richard’s career in infectious disease and dedication to the care of others, the family request all attendees wear a mask.

Memorials may be made to Salem Lutheran Church, Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, or U of I College of Medicine at Peoria.

Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements and condolences may be left at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com.