Richard E. Locher 1929-2017

LOCHER, COSGROVE, ROHDE, EVANS, RITTER, DRURY, JUNGK, HOLUBAR, CLEMENS, FISCHETTI, TSENDBAATAR

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 8/12/2017 at 10:44:14

Richard E. Locher

Richard E. "Dick" Locher, age 88, Pulitzer Prize Winning Editorial Cartoonist, a Naperville, IL resident since 1969, passed away Sunday, August 6, 2017. He was born on June 4, 1929 in Dubuque, IA.

Dick was survived by his loving wife, Mary (nee Cosgrove) of 60 years, son, Stephen Locher, M.D., and his wife, Sandra (nee Rohde) Locher, his daughter, Jana Evans and her husband, Terry Evans. Adoring grandchildren Michael, Alex and Julianne Locher, Stephenie and Mary Ritter and great-grandson, Matthew Drury.

Preceded in death by his talented son, John Locher, his parents Joseph J. Locher, D.D.S. and mother, Lucille (nee Jungk) Locher, brother Joseph C. Locher, D.D.S., sister-in-law Joan Monica (Clemens) Locher, brother-in-law, Thomas Cosgrove. He was a loved uncle, great-uncle and good friend of many.

Dick developed a passion for art at an early age. Pursuing art as a career, he attended Loras College, Dubuque, University of Iowa, Iowa City and the Art Center of Los Angeles, and graduated with honors from the Chicago Academy of Fine Art. Dick served with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and received an Honorable Discharge as Captain.

After meeting in their hometown of Dubuque, Dick and Mary wed on June 15, 1957 at St. Mary's Church in Dubuque, IA. Their marriage was amazing from the start and Dick and Mary together enjoyed a remarkable career and family with a relationship that lasted for over 60 years. Their many trips and adventures filled a lifetime of love.

Dick began his career as a commercial artist in Chicago, eventually becoming president of his own Novamark Corporation in Oak Brook, IL. At the same time he began what was to become his dual careers. In 1972 he became a Political Cartoonist for the Chicago Tribune/Tribune Media Services and won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 1983. Dick's nationally syndicated award-winning cartoons covered national and local political events. He was also the artist for the Dick Tracy comic strip created by Chester Gould, spanning over 30 years, and eventually both drew and wrote the comic strip.

Dick was a long-tenured trustee at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL and received honorary doctorates from both Loras College and Benedictine University. Besides the Pulitzer Prize, Dick won many awards including the Illinois FBI Man of Distinction Award, the Dragon Slayer Award, the Distinguished Health Journalism Award, the Sigma Delta Chi/ Society of Professional Journalists Award, the Overseas Press Club Award, the Thomas Nast Award, the John Fischetti Editorial Cartoon Award, the World Population Institute Award, the National Cartoonist Society Silver T-Square Award, the Association of Editorial Cartoonists Ink Bottle Award and others.

He has many numerous books to his credit including those highlighting his art. He was a fine art painter and sculptor. One of the high points in his career was Naperville's Century Walk dedication of statues to honor Dick Locher. This included both his design for the nine-foot bronze Dick Tracy statue as well as his sculpture contribution honoring the founder of the city of Naperville, Joseph Naper.

Beyond his art and cartooning, Dick was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. It was common to find the kids sitting on his lap in front of his drawing board "helping" Papa draw. He also cherished his time in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with many family and friends, watching the sunsets, telling wonderful campfire stories and listening to the loon's lonely call. A Nut Goodie candy bar seemed to be within his reach on these trips at all times. Through the years, Dick was most happy though when sharing stories and tales of his life with friends and family.

Dick and Mary were members of SS. Peter & Paul Church since 1969. They were also founding members of the St. Thomas the Apostle Church; Dick served on the building committee for St. Thomas's church and rectory.

Dick Locher chronicled life through his art and his stories and he embraced those around him to the very end.

A special thank you to Dick's caregiver Tsogbayar "Tsogo" Tsendbaatar, for the special assistance and care he gave Dick and our family.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2017, 3:00 - 8:00 PM at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 11, 9:30 AM at SS. Peter & Paul Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville, IL 60540.

Interment to follow at SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Naperville, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to either SS. Peter & Paul Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville, IL 60540, 630- 718-2102, http://www.sspeterandpaul.net/donate/, or the Locher Family Memorial Scholarship Fund at Benedictine University, University Development Gift Coordinator, Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL 60532, 630-829-6072, http://www.ben.edu/give ("Make a Gift", designate Locher Family Memorial).

For more information, please call (630) 355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Wednesday, August 9, 2017