Richard Drozd Obituary

Richard Drozd, of Chicago. Beloved brother of Helen Stramaglia, John (the late Helen) Drozd, Maria Sucharski, and the late

Czeslaw and Joseph Drozd; dear uncle of many nieces and nephews; also survived by cherished family in Poland as well as many friends and associates. Visitation Wednesday, 3 to 9 p.m., at Haben Funeral Home & Crematory, 8057 Niles Center Rd., Skokie. Funeral Thursday, 9:15 a.m., from the funeral home, for Mass, 9:30 a.m., at St. Peter Church, Skokie. Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles. Funeral Info: 847.673.6111.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Jan. 12, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Drozd

11 Entries

Dennis J Ptak

January 6, 2024

It is hard to believe that Rich has been gone for 15 years. This is an excerpt from an e-mail he sent me on August 11, 2006:
I have worked with famous architects, I have the art-flu bug, I have traveled all over the world. And I never planned any of it. After all I´m just a poor little Polish kid who grew up on the northwest side of Chicago . Look at me now. If I could add anything else, it might be a partner. Somebody with whom I could share these experiences. But this has eluded me. So be it.

I may be going back to Florence to continue with the classical studies. Painting is waiting for me. Dare I go?

Maybe. The idea is burning in my brain as I type. Enough of this big time architecture, art is waiting.

There is a building on Michigan Avenue . It´s called the Arts Building . In the lobby carved into a beam is the statement, "All perishes, art alone endures." I have taken that to heart.

Very best wishes.

Dennis Ptak

August 10, 2009

As a high school classmate of Rich, my strongest visual image of him is that of a person with great composure and a wide Cheshire smile. Rich's biography seems to verify that he was to the architectural manor born. And those drawings he created in Florence were indications of yet greater achievement to come. What an extremely rich life! Rich once sent me an e-mail in which he referred to a quote from the lobby of the Fine Arts Building in Chicago: All perishes, art alone endures. His life was art. Please accept my condolences.

Len Lesiak

August 10, 2009

I have many memories of our shared high school adventures. We were saddened to learn of Rich's health condition and were looking forward to hopefully seeing him at our next class reunion. Now we'll wait to see him again at our heavenly reunion. Our sincerest condolences to Rich's family and dear friends.

Joe Graziano

August 10, 2009

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief

Dan and Donna Dziewulski

August 9, 2009

My wife and I were saddened to learn of Rich's passing earlier this year. We were close friends in high school and remember the many good times we had together. It is very comforting to read about how he's touched so many other people.
Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Rev. Walter Wilczek, C.R.

August 9, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. I remember him as a high school student and had respect for him then. May your memories bring you comfort

Daniel hajjar

January 29, 2009

I enter this note thinking about Rich and his infectitious laugh, the sensitve painter and the man who enjoyed beauty. I worked with Rich on projects throughout the Middle East and often wondered why he did not take up his painting full time - his passion for this small yet important corner of his life spoke volumes when he spoke of his work - I will miss you Rich, to the family - such a loss - an individual rare to find in today's world

Jim Fetterman

January 13, 2009

I first worked with Rich on the Minneapolis FRB project. It was his first tour of duty with HOK as he had just moved to St. Louis from Chicago. It was amazing to watch him mentor, nurture and train staff to be good well-rounded architects who learned to appreciate good design and how to put buildings together. We kept in contact over the past 15 years and I spent lots of time with him when I would visit the London office. Rich was the best - very disciplined, generous with his time and patient with others. I learned alot from him and so did everyone who had the opportunity to work with him. I will miss him alot.

Jason Hamlin

January 12, 2009

Rich worked here in the Los Angeles office of HOK with our healthcare group for a number of months. When I was down and out and had very few options, Rich offered the use of his apartment in L.A. while he was in Europe. What an amazing artist Rich was, I will never forget a spectacular pencil drawing he showed me. My condolences to the family.

Eric Goldberg

January 12, 2009

Please accept my condolescences for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Rich when he joined HOK in the Los Angeles office in the early 90's. I missed him when we both left, but was happy to see him again upon his return to the LA office. He was a sincere and caring man, with whom I enjoyed sharing many conversations. I am sadened by his passing, but will always remember his smile, personality and his positive attitude.

Yolanda Van Hecke

January 12, 2009

Rich, Your talents and personality will not be matched by anyone. I will miss our conversations, even though you did most of the talking. Your stories of life experiences, your drawings and views of the world fascinated me. I lost a truly good friend.

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