Richard A. DiPietro

Richard Andrew DiPietro, 80 years old, of Park Ridge, IL, passed away on March 2, 2024 in his home at The Sheridan at Park Ridge, surrounded by family. A Funeral Mass will be held for Richard at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 9th, 2024, at St. Paul of the Cross Church, 140 S. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge, IL 60068. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 S. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge, IL 60068 prior to the Mass. Following Richard’s services, he will be laid to rest in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL.

Richard DiPietro was born to Nicholas and Teresa on June 2, 1943. Richard grew up with his sisters, Antoinette and Marie in Chicago, IL. He met the love of his life in 10th grade and he graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1961. Richard and Kathy married in 1962 and have been inseparable ever since. They raised seven children: Robin, Beth, Tom, Tracy, Amy, Megan, and Ryan.

Richard began his career in the typesetting industry with TotalTypography. In 1981, he opened his own company, The TypeSmiths, Inc. This company evolved into CrossTech Communications, from which he retired in 2013. Richard was a member of the Typographers International Association, serving multiple roles, including president in 1992.

In 1992, Richard’s interest in community issues led him to become president of the Park Ridge Manor Community Association. He went on to be elected alderman of the 2nd ward in Park Ridge, the city he loved. He served five terms, for 18 years from 1995 until retiring in 2013.

Richard was a devoted husband and father, had a dry sense of humor, preferred work over vacations, loved politics and the University of Notre Dame, had a passionate work ethic and commitment to family. He volunteered at St. Benedict’s Nursing Home for 25 years in the church services.

Richard is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his daughter Robin (Stephanie Sherman) DiPietro; daughter, Beth (Andrew) McPherson and their children Nathan (Maureen), Aaron (Cara), Zachary (Lauren), Chelsea (Andrew Kretschmar), Jacob (Kaitlyn) and Cassidy; son Tom (Katherine) DiPietro and their children Justin (Lily Elderkin) and Kristen; daughter Tracy (Sean) McCarthy and their children Chris (Shannon), Kaitlyn, Danielle and Samantha; daughter Amy Kawiecki and her children Peter (Ellie), Paige and Caroline; daughter Megan (Michael) Steele and their children Alex, Riley, Colin, Jackson and Anna; and son Ryan (Kathryn) DiPietro and their children Savannah, Tyler, Nicholas and Grace; 11 great grandchildren; his sister Marie Marinelli; brother-in-law Frank Fabianski; brother-in-law Edward Wenigman; many nieces and nephews as well as many extended family and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Teresa DiPietro, his in-laws, Edward and Betty Wenigman, his sister Antoinette Fabianski, his son Baby Richard Gerard DiPietro, his grandson Baby Joshua McPherson, his great-grandson Baby Jack Kretschmar, his brother-in-law Jack Marinelli and other extended relatives.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Dementia Society of America, https://www.dementiasociety.org/ or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, https://themmrf.org/ in memory of Richard A. DiPietro.