Richard S. Myers

CHARLESTON, IL – Richard Stanley Myers, age 86 of Charleston, and formerly of Belvidere and Freeport, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 while at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.  In accordance with Richard’s wishes, his earthly body will be cremated and private family services will be held at a later date.  It is requested that donations in his honor be made to the American Lung Association and may be mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Rick was born January 27, 1932 in Quincy, Illinois, the only child of the late Wilfred S. and Creeta (Clark) Myers.  He graduated from Eastern State High School in 1950 and furthered his education at Eastern Illinois University with studies in pre-Journalism and Liberal Arts.  Rick had a passion for photography and took many courses and attended seminars and workshops to perfect his skills.  While attending school he worked at the Camera Shop in Charleston and was later employed as a darkroom assistant at Al Daniels Studio in Champaign.  He was also employed at Walt’s Camera Shop in Charleston before opening his own business, Myers Studio & Camera Shop and Coles County Printing Company in Charleston, which he operated from 1953 until 1964.  After he closed his Charleston business, Rick worked for various newspapers, television stations and camera shops before accepting a position with the American Lung Association as Director of Public Information and Government Relations, a position he held from 1980 until his retirement in 1996.

Rick is survived by two daughters, Debbie McNamer and husband Mike of Charleston and Cathy Frazier of Charleston; five grandchildren, Tom Frazier and wife Karen, Beth Wood and husband Kevin, Sonya Johnson and husband Kevin, Steve McNamer and wife Amanda and Scott McNamer and wife Laura; along with five great-grandchildren.