Richard Burton Amundsen
Richard Burton Amundsen, 76, of Woodstock, Illinois, entered into eternal rest on August 26, 2023. Rick was the beloved husband of Catherine (Katie) Amundsen, loving father of Erika (Jeffrey) Sampson of Ferndale, Michigan, fond brother of Kenneth Amundsen of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Donald (Maribeth) Amundsen of Burlington, North Carolina, and dear son-in-law of Katharina Heinz Blechschmidt.
He graduated from Luther North High School in Chicago, Illinois, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carthage College, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and attended the University of Illinois School of Law in Champaign-Urbana and Chicago Kent Law School.
Rick worked in his youth as a law library clerk at the Chicago Bar Association library, and later in title insurance as a Title Insurance Officer for Chicago Title Company, McHenry County Title Company, and NLT Title. He gained the respect of many clients and peers over his 53 year professional career.
He was a member of Key Club International during high school, Delta Omega Nu fraternity in college, and proudly was a Charter Member of the Ernie Bank’s Die-Hard Fan Club. For over 50 years Rick was a member of The Lieblinger Vergnügungs Verein – Chicago.
Rick immersed himself into the Woodstock community and was a tireless volunteer. He was an active member and President of the Woodstock Jaycees and Jaycee District Director for the North Region of Illinois. He served on the board of the Woodstock Swim Association (Woodstock Dolphin Swim Team), and together with Katie received the Dolphin’s Award of Excellence. He was Chairman of the Board for District 200’s Education Foundation which raises additional funding for K-12 classrooms, and he was on the board of the Woodstock Musical Theatre Company, receiving the Heart Award and the Encore Award for his dedication and service.
As a hobby, Rick learned theatrical lighting design through-on-the-job training at the Woodstock Opera House. For over 40 years he was a lighting designer for hundreds of productions throughout Northern Illinois and Chicago ranging from high school shows to professional companies. Rick designed lights for WMTC, Townsquare Players, Judith Svalander Dance Theatre and studio, The Black Box Theatre of McHenry County College, Elgin Community College, The Performing Arts Center at Woodstock North High School, and for performers such as Riders in the Sky, The Rondells, The Marvelettes, and Mickey Rooney. Rick delighted in being a mentor to the next generation of lighting designers and also taught a technical theatre class at MCC.
In his spare time Rick played rounds of golf (got a hole in one!) and loved to dig in his flower gardens.
Rick will be remembered as a humble, kind, and thoughtful gentleman with a witty sense of humor. He made us laugh and lit up our world, literally.
Visitation on Thursday, August 31st from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Funeral Services on Friday, September 1st, 10:00 am, at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60625, 773-561-6874. Interment at 11:00 am at Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, IL.
Donations in Rick’s name may be made to: The District 200 Education Foundation www.d200edfoundation.org
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DrakeandSonFuneralHome.com for the Amundsen family.
September 1, 2023 – 10:00am cst
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