Richard Mathis

Richard L Mathis, 79, formerly of Waukegan, resided in Gurnee, died peacefully on March 11, 2026.

Son of Burnell and Maryjane (Printy), born in Chicago in 1946, raised in Waukegan, graduated from WTHS class of 1964, where he played trombone in the band.

He attended Millikin University before entering the US Air Force during the Vietnam war, as an airplane mechanic, specializing in hydraulics.

After an honorable discharge, he came back to Illinois and worked at Baxter Labs in hydraulics and pneumatics.

He also worked at Solo Cup Co. in product development for use of injection molding.

An urge to be self-employed and creative, he opened Poor Richard's Stained Glass Shop selling supplies, doing repairs, custom work and teaching.

After many years, the call back to his love of airplanes and the mechanics of it led him back to college where he earned an FAA A&P mechanics degree and worked for American Airlines in Chicago.

He was in the Illinois Air National Guard and employed at Chicago Military O'Hare.

Served In Desert Shield in Spain which supported troops in Desert Storm.

He was involved in the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow (CoCoRaHS) organization weather reporting for Lake County and was a lay person dial in for channels 7 and 2 weather reports.

Also active in fundraising for PKD (polycystic kidney disease) in Milwaukee and Chicago.

Had many good times growing up in Decatur, IL, as the oldest of 19 cousins.

He married Helen Bosnak in 1968, and they had two sons, Hugh and Ted.

He loved being a grampa to his two grandchildren, babysitting, sledding, miniature golfing, bowling, playing with water balloons, and making cheesy eggs and cinnamon sticks for breakfast.

He is survived by his wife Helen and son Ted and daughter-in-law Tricia (Salmi) and their two children, Andrew and Astrid and brother-in-law Mark Noble.

Many nieces and nephews and cousins spread around the country.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Mary (Hampson) Keefe and Sharon (Hampson) Noble and his oldest son Hugh.

Visitation will be on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 10 am before a memorial mass at 11am, at St. Brigid/St. Patrick Church, 15000 W. Wadsworth Rd., Wadsworth, Illinois 60083.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a cause close to your hearts and family.

Arrangements are under the care of Peterson & Patch Funeral Home, please sign our online guestbook at www.waukeganfunerals.com For more information, please call 847-623-0495