Eric Kristian Stenerson

Eric "Rick" Kristian Stenerson, was born April 4, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois to Judith Ann (Allbee) Stenerson and Robert Arne Stenerson. He passed away October 10, 2024, at AccentCare Hospice in Naperville, IL. He is survived by his mother Judy, brother Rory (Kathy) Stenerson, sister Misty (Steve) Laub, daughter Elle (Ethan) Pressly, grandchildren Jack Stenerson Pressly and Caroline Elizabeth Pressly, and stepchildren Stacey and Robert Lucas.
Rick was raised in Arlington Heights, IL, where he made lifelong friends and met his first wife, the late Mary Beth Graff, who he married in 1977. They had one daughter, Elle Kristine. Rick enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1975 after graduating from Arlington High School, and after serving 4 years of active duty, became an Air Traffic Controller with the FAA. In 1981, he began attending college at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he earned his BS in management. He spent many years working in the moving industry, and after his first marriage ended, he met the late Debbie Lucas-Stenerson who he was married to from 1998 until her passing in 2021. Rick was respected and loved by all he worked with and had many close friendships that he enjoyed for decades. He was known as a kind, loyal, patient, intelligent, and generous person who cared for others and stood up for those in need. He loved the outdoors, biking on Lakeshore Drive, fly-fishing, Tai Chi, and anything related to history and the arts. He was also a lifelong Cubs and Bears fan.
In January of 2024, Rick was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and fought bravely for ten months while also enduring many other health challenges during that time. While in cancer treatment he took comfort in the support of his family and friends, as well as the caring staff at Rush Cancer Center in Lisle and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Rick's family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks on his behalf to all the nurses and doctors who cared for him and did all they could to help him in his fight. We are also truly grateful to the incredible staff at Accent Hospice Care for making his last days here on earth peaceful for both him and our family.
Rick loved his family very deeply and most of all cherished being a grandfather. His last few years were spent living in Glen Ellyn, IL, enjoying time with Elle, Ethan, Jack and Caroline, playing games, watching movies and attending the kids' sporting events and activities.
Rick's family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rick's memory can be made to the Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resource Center in Warrenville, IL, which provides support to those battling cancer and their families.