Richard Muegge

Richard Lee Muegge of Bloomingdale, IL entered eternal life on August 2, 2025. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Robert and his parents, Clemens Muegge and Eileen Mudd Muegge. He is survived by his loving wife Lisa (Betty), his brother David, nephews Jon and Brent and grandnephew Brent, grandnieces Breanna and Carina and two generations of his wife’s numerous nephews and nieces whom he loved very much.

He was born January 13, 1941, in the St. Louis suburb of St. Charles MO. He spent all his teenage years in a Roman Catholic Seminary studying for the priesthood. At age twenty, he left the seminary, hoping to become a teacher of Spanish, Latin and English. After graduating from St. Benedict’s College with a triple major in Spanish, Latin and Education, he taught full time for 40 years in high schools in Kansas City, Southern California and Downer’s Grove, Illinois. He also substitute taught in Los Angeles and in Addison, Aurora and Bensenville, Illinois. He taught part time on the college level at the College of DuPage and Ohio State University.

He was a lifelong attendee of courses and summer workshops in a wide variety of educational institutions. He also earned state certification to teach Special Education and English as a Second Language. After his third year of teaching, he took time off to earn his first M.A. in Romance Languages at the Ohio State University. During his time as a teaching assistant, he was a weekend announcer on the WOSU classical music radio station. He also earned a second M.A. in Comparative Literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison before returning to Chicago.

He and his beloved wife, Lisa, were married for fifty-one years. They both loved to travel. He visited all 50 states and nine countries. His hobbies included writing poetry, attending plays and movies. He was an avid fan of the Cubs, Bears and news commentary. He enjoyed off beat summer jobs such as bartending at the Santa Fe Speedway in Willow Springs, Illinois.

For years, Richard and Lisa volunteered to work night shifts at a homeless shelter. For several summers, Richard also served as a case worker for the Cook County Department of Public Aid. He and Lisa also initiated a program for adult immigrants to learn and practice English. Richard did this work for more than 20 years; the program continues today.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 21st at Salerno Funeral Home 450 W. Lake St. Roselle, IL from 5-8pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Isidore Catholic Church 427 W Army Trail Rd Bloomingdale, IL on Friday August 22 at 10:45 am. Donations to honor Richard’s memory can be sent to Save the Children or the People’s Resource Center in Wheaton, Illinois.