Richard “Dick” Lipinsky, 85; “ a huge believer in fairness”
Obituary Richard 'Dick' Lipinsky, Husband of One, Father to Three, Grandfather to 6, Brother to 4, Friend, Coach and Mentor to hundreds more, died on Tuesday, July 20th at the age of 85.
Dick was born on October 20th, 1935 in Woodstock, Illinois to John and Helen Lipinsky. He grew up in Union, Illinois with his 3 Brothers and 1 Sister. On July 23rd, 1958 he graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He went on to a 27 year career in Sales and Sales Management that took him and his family to New York, Boston, Maryland, Montreal, Canada, and then back to McHenry County where they settled in Algonquin, IL in 1976 and stayed there until the end. Throughout his Sales and Sales Management Career, Dick was an honest and fair boss who valued integrity and hard work- the lifelong friends he made of former employees and customers is a testament to that. In 1985 at the age of 50, Dick started a second career as a Financial Planner. In a field dominated by people decades younger than him, Dick used his work ethic, honesty, and integrity to build a thriving practice that he ran until he sold it in 2007.
In August 1962 in the Three Bears Bar in Westport Connecticut, Dick was approached by a beautiful Swedish woman. Never lacking confidence, Dick was certain that she was about to come on to him. Luckily, his confidence was misplaced and instead that woman wanted to set Dick up with her friend. In July 1962 Dick went out on a blind date with an even more beautiful and amazing Swedish women, Elaine Lundh. Elaine was not impressed with Dick and found him to be a typical 'Pushy American'. But Dick was smitten, and he called her every week until Elaine relented to a second date in early September. They spent a weekend in Connecticut where Elaine met Dick's friends and decided to give him a chance. From that point on, for the next 59 years, they were 'Hot and Heavy', as Elaine would often say. On January 18th, 1963 Dick made what he for the rest of his days called the best decision of his life and married Elaine. In each other they had found partners and best friends for life. Dick and Elaine together experienced the birth of 3 sons and 6 Grandchildren.
From his very earliest days back in Union Dick exhibited what some might call a mischievous streak. Pranks, feats of daring, and always a fan of (mostly) good natured teasing- his Mother Helen gave him the nickname 'Poison'- which to those who know Dick makes not just a little amount of sense. Dick retained this mischievous and teasing streak throughout his life. He suffered no fools, and all 3 of his daughter in laws were prepped for their first meeting with a version of 'if he starts making fun of you, it's him letting you know he likes you'. But his teasing was loving and done with a laughing glint in his eye. Whether it was because he had survived being shot with a shotgun when he was 10 and falling off a silo when he was 19 (an accident that left him with a metal elbow that he used both to amaze grandchildren with and to his physical advantage in pickup basketball games), or just because he understood that life is precious- Dick always had an infectious passion for life. He loved being an enthusiastic dancer with Elaine at any wedding. He loved competition- playing basketball into his 50's and Golf until the very end. He loved the Bears, the Bulls, and the White Sox.
Dick was a huge believer in fairness and was always looking to help those that needed a hand up. Whether it was being the first Sales Manger to hire Women into a Sales Role, neighborhood kids who needed support, or most of all his own kids and grandchildren, Dick was always willing to coach, mentor, and give advice.
Dick is survived by wife Elaine, siblings Ronald, Raymond and Mary (Lipinsky) Foster, sons John (Linda), Joe (Mary), Jason (Catherine) and his 6 adored grandchildren. A celebration of life will take place on a future date.