Richard A. Pump Sr.

1948 - 2025

Richard A. Pump Sr.
Born: April 18, 1948
Died: November 9, 2025
Richard A. Pump Sr. of Hampshire died Sunday, November 9th, 2025 at Avantara in Elgin.
He was born April 18th, 1948, in Chicago, the son of John J. and Winifred M. (Mueller) Pump. He attended grade schools in Sycamore and Roselle, eventually graduating from Roselle grade school in 1962.
He was baptized at Acacia Park Lutheran Church in Chicago and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle. In 1966, he graduated from Lake Park High in Medinah and in 1970 from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with a B.S. in mathematics. He was a member of Delta Alpha of Sigma Nu Fraternity at Case Western where he held the office of Chaplain and Sentinel. He was a track star at Case Western, winning many meets competing in the shot put as they competed in the President's Athletic Conference of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. He was coached by the legendary Bill Sudeck.
In 1970, he became employed at Mueller Farms, learning the sod business from his dad. They worked side by side for over 35 years. In 1987, he started his own sod business in Hampshire with his wife Marlene and son Rick Jr. who eventually took over the business in 2015. The Pump family has farmed continuously in northern Illinois since 1885.
He was a member of the Sports Turf Manager's Association, Kane County Farm Bureau, the Illinois Turf Foundation, the Turfgrass Producer's International, the Sod Grower's Association of Mid-America, the Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents, and the Illinois Specialty Grower's Association. He was four times past president of the Sod Grower's Association of Mid-America and past director of the Illinois Turf Foundation.
He taught Sunday School at Trinity Lutheran Church in Huntley for 15 years and served as an elder, chairman of the congregation, and on numerous other committees at Trinity Lutheran Church. He served on the School Improvement Committee and the FFA council at Hampshire High School.
Rick was an avid bowler and loved his family, the land, his church, and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Rick Sr. is survived by his wife, Marlene L. Manke; whom he married on September 20th, 1980 in Huntley, his son, Richard Jr. (Nicole) Pump; and proud grandfather to Brookelyn, Prezleigh, Ashtyn, and Kingston; all of Hampshire and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Winifred Pump.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 18th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Huntley from 9:00 until the service at 11:00 with Rev. Andrew Hatesohl officiating. Interment will be at Huntley Cemetery and will be private. A luncheon at Boulder Ridge Country Club will follow. The James A. O'Connor Funeral Home in Huntley is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers a memorial donation may be made in Rick's name to Trinity Lutheran Church in Huntley.