Richard "Dick" Brabson

Richard "Dick" Brabson, age 81, of Bailys Harbor, Wisconsin and Gurnee, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Dick was born in Chicago on June 5, 1943, to Jesse Brabson and Irene Cooper Brabson. Dick grew up on the north side of Chicago and the city became his playground. He met many of his lifelong friends in the neighborhood. Riding bikes, fishing in Lake Michigan, and playing pickup ball were just a few of the many memories he carried with him. He graduated from Tuley High School in 1961.
Dick started work at Illinois Bell shortly after graduation. What was to become a 30 year career was interrupted in May of 1964 when he enlisted in the United States Army. He transferred to the 101st Airborne Division ("Screaming Eagles"). During that time, he jumped out of "perfectly good airplanes" into the jungles of Cambodia and Viet Nam. Even after the army, he continued to jump to attain his goal of 100 jumps. Dick was honorably discharged from the Army as a Sergeant in 1967. He then returned to Illinois Bell where he spent many years as a telephone repair man. He eventually worked inside to convert manual records to computers. He was then promoted to an Outside Engineer where he planned and designed the plant he had worked on for so many years.
Having worked at this father's gas station in high school, Dick became an excellent car repair person. He built and rebuilt engines. His 1957 Chevy was his pride and joy. He could fix any and all cars. Friends and family often relied on his expertise to fix their cars. He also loved to fish. He looked forward to his two weeks away with friends to the wilds of Canada where they traveled by car and boat to get to a remote cabin where they fished for fourteen days every year. But Dick would travel anywhere and visited most European countries, loved cruises, including a three week trip around South America, and had been to most of our 50 states.
Dick met the love of his life, Sharon McDowall, and the two of them got married on May 10, 1975. That year they bought a Chicago bungalow in Edison Park. It needed a lot of work and Dick assured Sharon they would only be there for a couple of years. After much work and remodeling they lived and raised their two children there for 33 years. They were blessed with two children. Brian was born in 1978 and Amy was born in 1980. Sharon also worked for Illinois Bell, aka Ameritech, so Dick became a very hands-on dad. When he had the opportunity to take an early retirement, he stayed home with his then two teenage children and an international student from Argentina, Javier. With three teenagers and a working wife, Dick became the epitome of Mr. Mom.
Dick and Sharon both loved to travel, but their favorite destination became Door County, Wisconsin. In 1989 they bought a chalet in the forest which became their second home. It was always filled with family and friends as they loved to share their "little bit of heaven" with everyone. Eventually, after retiring, they sold their beloved chalet to friends and built a home in Egg Harbor. They enjoyed hosting friends and family in their new home and also spending more time in Door County. But it was hard to love two places as they also kept a home in Gurnee, Illinois, close to family and friends.
Dick is survived by his wife, Sharon; two children, Brian Brabson and Amy (Christian) Infanzon; two grandsons, Owen and Ian Infanzon; in-laws, Pat (Steve) Day, Ed (Rita) McDowell, Jim (Carol) McDowall, Bob (Cindy) McDowall, Cindy Byrd, Barb (Carl) Liebe, and Mary (John) Manchen; and many dear nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Irene Brabson and Jesse Brabson; brother, James Brabson; sister, Sheila Proietti; brother-in-law, James Byrd; and sister-in-law, Geri McKenzie.
Visitation Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 S Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068.
Funeral Mass Monday, March 17, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Saint Juliana Catholic Church, 7201 N Oketo Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631.
Burial Mass with Cremated Remains Saturday, May 10, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Stella Maris Church Baileys Harbor, 8013 WI-57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. Vincent de Paul Society at Stella Maris Parish would be appreciated.
Funeral information please call (847) 823-1171 or visit ryan-parke.com