RICHARD T. WHARTON

Richard T. Wharton, 53, of Chicago passed away surrounded by cherished friends and Norman Falls bandmates. He lived every day to its fullest, and he left this life playing music that he loved. Rich was born June 14, 1964 and was a 1982 graduate of Larkin High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Valparaiso University in 1986, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Rich first worked for Price Waterhouse, but he soon joined TransUnion as a Senior Corporate Accountant and was promoted to Director of Operations at the company's largest sales region. He missed his beloved Chicago, so he returned in 1998 as Vice President of Finance and Administration for the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. Rich formed his own consulting business, and for more than a decade worked in operations and finance for Chicago Athletic Association, Firm58, and most recently for Prairie States Enterprises. Rich was known for his integrity, his generosity, and his sense of humor. His survivors include mother and step-father, Carol and Ron Hecht, sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Tim Conkling, nephew and Godson Thomas Conkling, Thomas's fiancee, Sarah Olson, step-sister and brother-in-law Kathy and Bill Sohn, step-brother, Keith Hecht, nephew Joshua Sohn and his wife Amy, niece Kelly Sohn, and grandnephew Collin Van Der Karr. It is impossible to count the many friends who will miss him deeply. Rich was preceded in death by his father, Thomas G. Wharton. A celebration of Rich's life is scheduled on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 3:00 pm at Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 W Highland Ave, Elgin, IL 60123. All who knew and loved Rich are warmly invited to share memories, along with dessert and coffee, afterward. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Rich's memory to: Make-a-Wish Foundation of Illinois, 640 N. LaSalle Drive, Suite 280 Chicago, IL 60654 or Boston Children's Chorus, 20 Old Colony Ave, Floor 2, Boston, MA 02127.