Richard A. Deck

Richard A. Deck, age 65, died after battling a chronic lung disease on October 22, 2025. Loving husband of Judy (née Kordik); cherished father of Michael (Whitney Hays), Timothy (Molly Dannenberg), and Jonathan (Abby Ray); beloved "Grandpa" of Javier and the late Eva. Dear son of Providence and the late Richard R. Deck and son-in-law of the late Helene and John Kordik. He was the fond brother of Susan (Tom) Moran and Beth Dziedzic, and brother-in-law of the late John D. Kordik, Jill (Dave) Larson, and Angela Kordik. Rich was a beloved uncle, cousin, nephew, and dear friend to many.
Rich had a lifelong passion for sports and was a standout athlete in his grade-school and high-school years, playing both baseball and basketball. Later in life he was an accomplished bowler, participating in USBC tournaments for 25 years and once notching a near-perfect game of 296.
Rich enjoyed home gardening, growing delicious produce and hot peppers for his family and neighbors to enjoy. He also had a passion for giant pumpkins, growing Atlantic Giants that weighed hundreds of pounds each. In the early 2000s he co-founded the Illinois Giant Pumpkin Growers Association (IGPGA) and served as its first Vice President.
Rich's love for Christmas was undeniable, decorating the family home's exterior with bright seasonal displays that charmed residents of Elk Grove Village each year and garnered many awards from the village's decoration contests in the 1990s and 2000s. His maintenance of a running "Nice List" on the front lawn was a local favorite, with kids across town checking to see that their names were included on Santa's yearly route. The decorations were included in the 2008 edition of The Best Christmas Decorations in Chicagoland by Mary Edsey.
A Memorial Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 1st, from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at Colonial – Wojciechowski Funeral Home, 6250 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL. Arrangements entrusted to Green Burials of Love, Marion Friel – Funeral Director.