Richard F. Dennis M.D.

Richard F. Dennis, M.D. age 82, a resident of Chicago, IL, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026.

Dick was born in 1943, in Cambridge, MA. He graduated from Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, IL, with the class of 1962. Dick graduated from DePauw University and the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He interned at Valley Medical Center in Fresno, CA. From 1972 to 1974, Dick served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force during the final years of the Vietnam War. Afterward, Dick completed his residency in ophthalmology at Valley Medical Center followed by a fellowship in corneal transplantation at the University of California San Francisco.

Dr. Dennis began an independent ophthalmology practice in Chicago in 1977 and partnered with Randy J. Epstein, M.D., in 1986 to grow the business into what is today Chicago Cornea Consultants, among the premier ophthalmology practices in the Midwest. He specialized in corneal transplants and was an early proponent of laser eye surgery. He shared his passion for the field and guided future generations of eye specialists in Chicago and beyond as a student-favorite teacher on the faculty at the Rush University Department of Ophthalmology as well as a mentor in his practice. He was a beloved medical provider and highly respected advisor for thousands of patients in the Chicago area.

Dick greatly enjoyed spending time with his extended family, close circle of friends, and beloved Golden Retrievers. He led an active personal life of international travel, and engaged over the years in running, bicycling, skiing and scuba diving. He consistently followed current events and politics and openly shared his conservative views with absolute conviction. His loyalty to the Chicago Bears led to regular disappointment punctuated by periodic thrills. He was a knowledgeable enthusiast and collector of fine wines and enjoyed driving his succession of performance-oriented cars. Dick was generous in sharing his time, his expertise and his resources with everyone he met, from family and friends to wait staff and handymen.

Survivors include Dick's wife of 38 years, Alison Finnegan; sister Sandy Murphy of Seminole, FL, and brother Bruce (Nancy Hubner) Dennis of St. Petersburg, FL; sisters-in-law Dianne (née Esaki, Thomas Finnegan) Finnegan of Manitowoc, WI, Julieta (Kevin Finnegan) Gabiola of Pacifica, CA, and Juliet (Alan Engbring) Finnegan of San Diego, CA; and many nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Marion (Lowe) Dennis; sister Barbara (Phillip) McKinsey; and brothers-in-law Thomas Finnegan and Kevin Finnegan.

Burial of Dick's cremated remains will be at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor Chicago, St. Mary's Home, 2325 N. Lakewood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614, www.littlesistersofthepoorchicago.org, 773-935-9600.

For further information please call Michalik Funeral Home at 312-421-0936.