Richard Allen Isserman

Rick was born February 1, 1954, in St. Louis, Missouri to Ferdinand Isserman, Jr. and Marilyn Isserman (nee Landis). He grew up in the city of Highland Park, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana, where he was the Track Manager under Gary Wieneke until his graduation. For 40 years he was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America serving as Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Commissioner.

He married Carla Wilson in 1982 at Temple Israel in St. Louis. They have two beautiful children, Sam (Christine) Isserman and Becky (Brith) Isserman Gaudet.

He spent most of his life after college serving the community through social action committees, at Central Reform Congregation, Holy Grounds, and Temple Israel. Additionally, when he saw that the St. Louis City Council would not allow the Muslim Community in South St. Louis to rezone a piece of land to build a Mosque and Community Center for Bosnian Refugees, he and his friend Khalid Shah worked together to counter the injustice and got the petition overturned. For 20 years, he spoke on behalf of the Isserman Family at the Rabbi Ferdinand Isserman Lecture and Annual Award Series at Washington University which is given to a student who has made a significant contribution in leadership and service to ecumenical or interfaith activities on campus.

For over 20 years he worked for the USDA and retired as an Assistant Supervisor helping Rural Homeowners obtain loans. In 2013, he was presented with The Presidential Award for over 100 hours of Community Service by the Undersecretary of the USDA. He went on to win the same award the following year. He traveled to Washington DC on multiple occasions to lobby for USDA workers rights, representing the USDA AFGE Union.

Rick is survived by his loving wife and two children, as well as his mother, Marilyn Isserman Morris, his sisters Kathi (Kim) Miller and Nancy (Joel Horwitz) Isserman, grandson Lucas Gaudet, and nieces Rachel (Yoni) Horwitz Levinson, Nechama (Avi Bass) Horwitz, Gavi (Rachel) Horwitz, and Michael (Aviva) Horwitz, plus many great nieces and nephews and friends.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, February 6, 10:00 am in the May Chapel at Rosehill Cemetery, 5800 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60660, followed with interment. Shiva will continue in Hallandale Beach, FL on Wednesday through Friday, and Wednesday through Sunday at the home of his mother, Marilyn Isserman.

The family asks that any donations be made to the Isserman Award Series at Washington University in St. Louis, University Advancement, MSC 1202-414-3100, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130