Richard W Wilde

Richard W. Wilde, Jr.

(December 16, 1935 - November 17, 2024)

Dick was born to Richard W. Wilde, Sr. and Eloise Dickens and grew up in

Glencoe, Illinois. He attended, and was a proud graduate of, New Trier High

School and Williams College.

Following college, Dick went to work in New York City and began to raise,

with his wife Leeila, what became a large family. Soon thereafter, he was called

back to Chicago to work with his father and uncle (Paul A. Wilde), in the financial

services and real estate business. An early joy in his young career was Dick's

opportunity to work with his dad and uncle every day. In the 1980s, Dick served

as President of Glenview Savings and Loan before transitioning to a career as a

real estate appraiser, where he enjoyed appraising homes throughout the

Northshore.

In 1970, Dick met and married his wife, Linda, and they continued to raise

8 children together, first in Kenilworth, then in Lake Forest. Dick was active in his

children's lives as a coach, scout leader and Sunday School teacher. He was

also a proud member of the Chicago Curling Club and Illinois state champion in

the mid-1960's.

Part of Dick's legacy was his love of the Wisconsin northwoods and Camp

Highlands in Sayner, Wisconsin. Dick opened the door as a camper in the

1940's and for over six decades was followed to Highlands by all of his sons,

many grandsons and other young men in the family. He believed in the value of

teamwork and discipline (and fun, too!) and passed that love onto so many.

Dick was an absolute renaissance man. He loved art, old movies, theater

and was a talented artist himself. Also dear to him was the fellowship of

Alcoholics Anonymous and the community of men and women with whom he

shared his experiences, strength, and hope. His travels with Linda took him and

his family on many great adventures

His greatest point of pride was his family: Brad Wilde (Gretchen), Charlie

and Jack: Kerby Wilde; Jennifer Middaugh (Brian), Jillian and Cameron; Lisa

Nowakowski (Ken), Sarah, Sam and Tessa; Tom Greene, Meredith, Emily and

Julia; Ginger Williams (Ben), Bennie, Grace and Carson; Trevor Jesse (David),

Will, Walter and Kate; and Rick Wilde (Sarah), Sophie, Eloise and Celia.

To his 19 beloved grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, he was known

simply as "Bobz." Dick is also survived by his aunt, Lynette Wilde, and his

cousins, Paul, Leslie and Steven Wilde.

Dick's sanctuary was Cranberry Lake in Eagle River, Wisconsin. It is there

that he and Linda built "Call of the Wilde" some fifty years ago and it's there that

we will celebrate his life in the summer of 2025.

Dick's love, spirit and humor will be an everlasting guide for his grateful

family.