Richard M. Jaffee, age 82, beloved husband of late Shirley Handmaker Jaffee to whom he was married for 60 years. He was the loving father of Susan (David), Karen (Thomas), Nancy (William), and Daniel (Heidi); also remembered in the hearts of his 14 grandchildren, Jennifer, Michael, Kevin (Rebecca), Jimmy, Coley, Becca, Camille, Jeffrey, Taylor, Elise, Claire, Joey, Jaqueline, and Nathaniel; loving brother to Robert (Phyllis); and missed by many many more. Dick graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Business in 1957 and received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2001 and from Rush University in 2013. He earned his CPA certificate from the State of Illinois in 1957 and briefly worked in public accounting for the firm of Deloitte & Touche. In 1958, after serving as an officer in the United States Army, Dick joined Oil-Dri Corporation of America. He assumed the role of President, from his father and company founder, Nick Jaffee, in 1960, and became Chief Executive Officer in 1962. Under his stewardship, until his retirement in 2001, Dick grew the company into a worldwide leader in the manufacturing of clay products, employing 800 people. He continued to serve as Chairman of the Board until his passing. In addition to his business achievements, Dick helped others through his considerable civic and philanthropic work. From 2008 to 2013, he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Rush University Medical Center and Chairman of its Executive Committee. Dick chaired Rush's largest-ever capital campaign, ultimately raising over $389 million. Dick's legacy remains forever memorialized by the new Rush University Center hospital dedicated in 2012. He was a life trustee of the Illinois Institute of Technology, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Chicago History Museum. Dick served on an SEC advisory committee on smaller public companies and on an advisory committee to the Chicago Federal Reserve. He also served as a director of Harris Bank until 2006. He was inducted into the Chicago Business Hall of Fame and received the Making History Award which recognizes extraordinary contributions to Chicago. Dick's unique ability and captivating desire to help those he encountered in daily life will be notably missed. He was known to invest in the personal stories of everyone around him, from cab drivers to the valets at Rush, and loved to help people, usually by connecting them to someone who could be of further assistance. Dick Jaffee was a true humanitarian. Private burial services have been held while a celebration of Dick's life will take place some time in the Spring or early Summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Rush University Medical Center at (312) 942-1514 or https://www.rush.edu/giving-rush.

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Published by Chicago Tribune from Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Jaffee

19 Entries

Wendy Tucker (Tockman)

December 24, 2022

To all family of Dick Jaffee--I am Wendy Tucker (aka Wendy Tockman) and met many of you decades ago during summers in Michiana Shores. I was thinking of Dick and Shirley (also Bob & Phyllis) earlier today and thought I'd do a search. A very belated condolence to each of you--Dick was such a NICE and unaffected guy--always friendly and kind. I have very fond memories. To whoever may read this -- please know that I am thinking of all and hope life has been good.

Elly B Mak

August 4, 2022

It is such a great loss on the passing of Mr. Richard Jaffee. My sincere sympathy to all the Jaffee famly. My family and I had the great honor of knowing your parents Dick and Shirley Jaffee. We have been your neighbor while your parents were living in Lincolnwood ever since we immigrated to the US from Asia. Dick and Shirley were instrumental in providing information and help needed to adjust in our new life in the US. We had great honor to know your parents. They are very kind, gentle and caring. We have many fond memories about them. Dick Jaffee is very special to our family, he is a model in kindness, caring and philanthropy. May he Rest in Peace.
My prayers and thoughts to all the Jaffee family.
Elly Mak and Family, Chicago. August 4, 2022

Annette Stern

October 19, 2018

I'm so sorry for the death of your father I attended the university of Wisconsin with both Shirley and ruchard two of the finest people o have ever met standing up as a honored bridesmaid at their wedding st the lavish standard club in Chicago they both were special people giving a great deal to their family contributions to civil and religious causes u must be prof of them my love to all of u Annette stern

Tracy OToole

February 21, 2018

My heart,prayers and my deepest sympathey to the Jaffee family. Mr. Jaffee was was kind,caring and loving. He was a amazing father and grandfather to his children and his grandchildren. He will be missed by many people that he touched there hearts in so many ways. I had a great priviledged to known Mr.Jaffee through taking care of his grandchildren of Karen and Sue Jaffee wonderful children.

You all in my thoughts and my heart to all the Jaffee family.

Jennifer Andrews

February 19, 2018

My heart and prayers go out to the incredible family of Dick and Shirley Jaffee. Their legacy is strong and will continue through their kids and grandkids to exemplify what was modeled- gratitude, humility, philanthropy, excellence.
Dick had an intellectual curiosity and cared deeply for others. A great story teller as well as a great listener, his company insured time well spent. I will forever be grateful for our families becoming friends from that first Parents Weekend at Miami of Ohio. The Kemps and Andrews mourn this great loss of a man of character who ran well his race. Rest with God.

Andy Amit

February 13, 2018

It is with great sadness that I heard of Dicks' passing.
My deepest condolences to his big family to whom he will be sorely missed.
The last time we met, a few months ago, he was out walking Amber near the condo. I could see the sadness etched in his eyes after the loss of his beloved Shirl.
A real "mensch" has departed, may his memory be blessed.

Sharon Yalowitz Zeidler

February 10, 2018

My heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Dick and my Dad had a strong friendship since their childhood in Michiana. And I have warm, fond memories of him and Shirley. He was a kind, gentle and caring man and he will be forever missed. I wish you peace and strength as you navigate through this very difficult time in your lives.

Lynne Considine Nieman

February 3, 2018

My sincere sympathies to all of the Jaffee family. I had the great honor of getting to know your Father (and Mother) during the Rush University Medical Center campaign, raising funds for the new hospital. Dick had an uncanny ability to make connections between people and usually with a good story. He was a true gentleman. --
Lynne Considine Nieman

Rita

February 3, 2018

I am deeply sorry for this loss to family and friends. Our Heavenly Father is the God of Comfort; may you draw strength and hope from his words recorded in the scriptures:

February 3, 2018

Please accept my prayers for the family and have peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Robert Bearden

February 2, 2018

Condolences from Robert Bearden and family. What a great guy and mentor to me.

Dan Mickelson

February 1, 2018

Dick was truly a great help and inspiration to the EAL organization during it's formative years. He gave not only financial support, but provided office space, personal contacts, employee leave time and product resources. Without him , we could not have succeeded during the first decade. Later, he continued to follow our progress and provided support to our mission of helping financially underprivileged students achieve a college education. A truly noble and honorable man. God bless him.

Dick Jaffee accepts award from EALgreen for his support of students presented by U.S. Congressman Peter Roskam and EALgreen Chairman Dick Pflederer

Claudia Freed

February 1, 2018

Dick Jaffee changed my life and that of more than 16,000 college students when 35 years ago he made a decision to support a non-profit organization called EAL. He stayed close to us by mentoring me and proudly watched - and helped - us grow. His vision and love for helping others is a true legacy. May his memory be a blessing.

Leonard Block

January 31, 2018

Thinking of your family on the passing of Dick

John Madigan

January 31, 2018

Dick was a really great person. His values guided him always and they got him very far in life. We worked together at IIT and Rush and I learned so much from him. He and Shirley did everything well and will be truly missed.

Cathy Bachmann Ethridge

January 31, 2018

I was saddened to read about Dick's death in today's paper. My parents (Ann and Bruce Bachmann) were at UW with Dick and when my dad passed away last year Dick called me to share some of his memories from those amazing years. He was a sweet man and since we have just been through this with the loss of our dad, we understand what you are going through. Please know the entire Bachmann family has you in our thoughts and prayers.

January 31, 2018

Saddened to hear this news. Dick was a wonderful leader, and a true philanthropist. My deepest sympathies to the entire Jaffe family.

Judy Boler McCormack

Sheila Sandets

January 30, 2018

I was a nurse that helped care for Mr Jaffee. Such a wonderful man. Full of knowledge and lived history. Enjoyed watching Seinfeld episodes prior to sleep every night. Rest In Peace. I'm sure your reunion with Shirley was fabulous!

Dave Weiske

January 30, 2018

My deepest sympathy to all of the Jaffee's and extended family. Richard Jaffee was an outstanding leader, father, grandfather and philanthropist. I was blessed to have know many sides of Dick, his accomplishments in business and the community, love for family, intelligence, history and lastly his love for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Dick will leave an indelible mark on a life well lived and a lasting legacy.

He will be missed.

Godpeed Dick Jaffee, Godspeed

David Weiske
Chicago, Il

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