Thanks Mr. Olerich for teaching me to select, not settle.

One fast year and yet the lessons last forever. Thanks Mr. O.

I met Dick in 1963 at Web Press Eng.in Addison IL.We formed a friendship for a life.He was part of a group that included John Martin and Dick Martin.A group that influenced me for the rest of my life.They helped me to to learn the American way of life.Dick and the Martin brothers represented the true free spirit in a free country.I will miss all three of them as long as live.

It’s difficult to capture all the memories of my big brother Richard – yet, I am grateful I have so many of them. Richard clearly loved his family – Pat, Steve, Mike and Cori even more than his toys (most of the time). Richard would light up a room when he walked in and his stories were numerous, and yes, he was always smiling; frequently covered with grease from his “hot rod”.  Speaking of his hot rod – he almost missed his high school graduation as he was in the garage working on the car.  Growing up Richard led the way for the rest of us. Why even the glass picture window sizes were on file with the local glass/window repair shop and David was able to make use of this valuable information as well.
I was the “third” Olerich at Immaculate Conception school and Richard and Suzanne (Dick & Sue) certainly paved the road for us. Why even several of the nuns inquired as to my relationship with Richard – wonder how they remembered for all those years? Richard never stopped.. I remember his ice cream cart and how he’d drop the dry ice in water so we could watch it gurgle and smoke. He (and Suzanne) worked at the A&W drive in and I thought it was so wonderful I couldn’t wait to grow up so I could work there too! (And I did). Richard was an eagle scout - had all these wonderful Indian headdresses and feathers and I was so impressed. Richard was an altar boy – but not always - Once I remember Mom on the phone with the local police – seems Richard had driven his hot rod down the interior of a local shopping mall. When Richard would come home on a summer evening and I heard the sound of the top going up on the “family” ford convertible I’d run to the window and watch. .. he’d put the top up at the corner then turn then cut the engine off and could coast all the way up the driveway so our parents wouldn’t know what time he got home - I was amazed!  Once when he came home from college he brought the fraternity go-cart that he built. David and Richard were having such a wonderful time running it in the street that I pestered and pestered to let me drive it – the finally did but they never told me there were no brakes.  I survived just fine after several times yelling as I passed them going around and around the block. I remember the Christmas we gave Richard and his family to our mom for Christmas – they jumped out of a refrigerator box in the carport (they lived back east at that time)- Mom was very surprised! In hindsight - maybe a bit heavy on the surprise part. I will always cherish these and many more memories.

Barbara Olerich Sylvester

Peace and Love to my beautiful big brother.
Your illuminating smile and boundless energy for life and adventure
will be with me always.
See you in Heaven.

Memories are funny things; they are not always about important events but they stay with us. I met dick and pat when I was still in college. I thought they were one of the best looking couples I had ever seen. Pat always called dick "Richard "; I don't think she ever believed she was a beauty, but she knew he was handsome and loved himtotally.
I remember when they moved back to Woodale. Stevie fell from a tree and they rushed to elmhurst memorial to have his forehead stitched. A day or two later, michael fell from a bike and back to the hospital for stitches to his forehead. The next night pat grabbed Cori as she was running out the back door and the screen door hit her forehead- for the third night in a week, back to elmhurst memorial for stitches where they both tried to explain that with 3 active children under 5, that this was normal.
Together dick and pat survived- and stayed the course. There was much laughter and Dick kept the the same boyishness that was part of his charm. He was smart, funny, and loved every thing that had a motor, whether it worked or not.
He lived a full life and will be sorely missed.

I was privileged to meet Richard when I was young and ignorant of life's possibilities. He represented capability. He was always smiling, so you felt at ease. His calculating demeanor showed you wisdom, and his generosity, the love for his family. The world is now slightly smaller somehow, but he gave us the ability to live it large. Rest In Peace Richard.

Dick and Pat were part of our early married lives, and we had a lot
of fun times in Illinois while raising our kids. We remember all his
"toys" and how much pleasure they gave him, especially when they
needed to be rebuilt! Condolences to all the family.