Richard Raymond Rush

Richard Raymond Rush, former Lakeview community activist dead at 90

December 28, 1931 – September 12, 2022

Richard Raymond Rush died Sept. 8, at his home in Lake View community of Chicago. He was born in Minneapolis on December 28, 1931, to the late Stanley and Eleanor (nee Owczarzak) Rush.

Mr. Rush grew up and lived his entire life in the Lake View community, and was known and befriended by hundreds of nearby community members over the years.

He attended St. Andrew’s Grammar School, DePaul Academy and DePaul University. His first job out of college was with Continental Can Corp., and for decades he was the owner of Rush Realty in Lake View and Niles, IL.

Mr. Rush served for many years as the volunteer president of the North Lake View Neighbors community group. The City Council honored him on June 9, 1975 for the Initiation of “Operation Red Ball to mark children’s rooms to save their lives in case of fire; He provided leadership in obtaining the North Lake View Library, Waveland Playlot and the Bernard Sheil Community Center Park at 3505 N. Southport; he received the John Heyworth Award for Distinguished Community Service from the Interfaith Brotherhood Luncheon in Feb, 1975.” 

In 1980 he was Lerner Newspaper Booster Citizen of the Year and his award was presented by First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

As president of North Lake View Neighbors, he hosted large annual Christmas parties for over 600 children, who all left with a gift. He was appointed by Mayor Daley in 1973 to the Uptown Model Cities Board and Chair of its Social Service Committee.” People make communities not an organization,” was his motto. Mr. Rush was an active member of Kiwanis Club of Lake View since 1972 and the Winter Haven, Florida Kiwanis Club. 

He forged partnerships with other civic, educational, social, and religious community organizations to improve the quality of life for all the citizens of Lake View. He had a passion for life, travel, skiing, Kiwanis, his friends, and community.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at MIDTOWN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION OPTIONS (formerly Cooney Funeral Home) located at 3918 W. Irving Park Rd. in Chicago. Funeral Friday, family and friends are asked to meet at St. Andrew Church for Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, donations to Kiwanis Club of Lake View are appreciated. For information please call Cooney Funeral Directors at 847-685-1002 or visit www.cooneyfuneralhome.com