Richard Elrod Obituary

Marilyn and family, I miss Dick so much and miss you too. What a magnificent person and sweet memories. Love, Betsy

He was a truly great person, and will never be forgotten. Sincere condolences to his family.

It was a pleasure to read all the true comments that all the well wishers made on behalf of Judge Richard Elrod to his family of the kind of Judge, friend and father he was throughout his life. I again send my condolence to Marilyn and his entire family. Let's hope the current Judges will follow his legacy. Frank Caputo

I continue to treasure the precious memories of Judge Elrod, who is and was the epitome of a real man, lawyer, and jurist. Knowing you was an enormous gift. Thank you Judge Elrod for enabling my becoming me.

Honorable Richard Elrod was a very honest and respectable man. He died too young. A great family man.

I was so fortunate to have worked for, worked with my Sheriff Elrod, later Judge Elrod for several years. He was a brilliant caring person always looking out for anyone he could help. And I repeat my comments from a year ago: He was an excellent Sheriff of Cook County, an asset to the public service and even a better judge. And I was honored to work with him and continued to be friends with Dick and his family. I sincerely miss him and send loving warm thoughts and prayers to his wonderful wife and children.

Six years later, and I still treasure the memories of my many interactions with one of the greatest judges I have ever known. I was fortunate to be a trial lawyer in his Court. His enormous intellect, knowledge, passion, demeanor, humor, courage, and fairness inspired me and played a significant role in my success and one who delights in being a trial lawyer. Judge Elrod was a beautiful man, and I was blessed to be one of the many lawyers he influenced. He loved the law and inspired those who visited his courtroom and chambers. He was a beautiful man.

Sheriff Elrod was a mentor, friend, and boss. I was Under Sheriff Randolph's secretary, and was privileged to work with him in the executive offices, and later worked in the Youth Services Department and the CCSPD. I will never forget him and his incredible wisdom and kindness.

I so much admired Judge Elrod for his generosity, kindness, intelligence and intuitiveness. He was an excellent Sheriff of Cook County, an asset to the public service and even a better judge. And I was honored to work with him and continue to be friends with Dick and his family. I sincerely miss him and send loving warm thoughts and prayers to his wonderful wife.

I had the pleasure of knowing Judge Richard J. Elrod many years before him becoming a Judge. His passion for people continued on. Both he and his wife Marilyn were a great couple to know and be with. I'm sure he is in a Peaceful Place which is well deserved. Frank Caputo

Marilyn, It has been a really long time since we have seen you and Sheriff Elrod at a National Sheriffs' Association function, but I have always had fond memories of you both. So sorry for your loss. I hope your memories will ease the pain of your loss.

Marilyn: My deepest condolences. I just returned to Chicago to hear the sad news. May wonderful memories ease your sorrow.
Carol Harrison

Steve and Audrey and entire Elrod/Lakin family:
Our condolences on the loss of your dear patriarch.
Your neighbors - Elyse and Bruce Flack (Blazer too)

Dick - a most decent human being and through the years, My Friend - a closeness that was always there - He held my respect - and will live in my memory and will see him down the road
John J Flood
Cook County Police Department ( RET )

Judge Elrod was one of the most respected, intelligent and fair judges in Cook County. We had many matters before him and it was a joy to appear before him. He acted as a mensch at all times in his courtroom. His fairness and integrity was demonstrated by the fact that many members of both the plaintiff's bar and defense bar would agree to have Judge Elrod attempt to settle a case, both sides trusting his fairness. Quoting from a traditional Jewish prayer. " May his soul be bound up in the bond of life. May he rest in peace and let us say: Amen."

Lynn, Steven and Audrey, with sadness in my heart for my great boss and friend, I send you my love and I have spent the past day smiling with the memories I had with all of you and the things I did when my boss said I need you on the St. Patrick's day float, I need you to go with Gayle Sayers to the burn center for kids, I need an Easter bunny,(the memorable pic taken by Mike Sneed who officed next door, I need you to....whatever, I did it because he was great and he asked so sweetly. We were together for many wonderful celebrations and I heard the singing of your song often. My memories are sweet and we had him for a good amount of years. My pal, your wonderful husband and father, will be missed greatly. I send my thoughts and prayers .Karyn Meyers

Marilyn and Family, it is with much sadness that I just read the E-mail from NU Law announcing Dick's passing. I have so many wonderful memories that I shared with Dick going back as far as our days at Camp Ojibwa, our days together at NU undergrad and law school, our bridge playing days, our trip to Waco,Texas, etc. He was a good friend and will be sorrily missed. Dick & Lois Hirschtritt

Dear Marilyn, Audrey, Steven and family,
Much sympathy and warm thoughts on the passing of Sheriff/Judge Richard J. Elrod. I was truly privileged to have worked for him and become friends with Dick and all of you. He had an enduring affect on my life and my perspective for which I will be eternally grateful. I still remember his tips/suggestions about my writing, dealing with the public, and philosophy in general. What else can I say, an amazing, intelligent and caring person.

Dear Marilyn, We are in Florida and heard the tragic loss of your beloved husband, Dick. No one could have have known a more exceptional couple than both of you. Dick smiled, maintained his warm demeanor and was easy and delightful to be with throughout. You were his rock and dearest friend. Our hearts break for you and our thoughts and love are with you.
Marilyn and Dick Swoiskin

I am so sorry to hear of the death of your husband,father, & grandfather- may his memory always be for a blessing- Sandy Starkman & Larry Pachter

Marilyn, my condolences to you and your family for your loss. Dick and i were neighbors and childhood friends on the great westside of Chicago. May he rest in eternal peace.

Dear Marilyn and Family,

So sorry to hear about Dick's passing. You our in my thoughts and prayers.

To Marilyn and family,
Please accept our deepest sympathies on the death of Dick. We have so many fond memories of him. He will be truly missed, but never forgotten. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.

To the Elrod family, I am so sorry for your loss . I have enjoyed cutting his hair and talking sports with the judge. We all here at the barber shop will miss him deeply... John Angileri

Marilyn, deepest sympathy. It was an honor to work for him, first in the exec. offices, then youth services, then CCSPD. A true public servant, a man of integrity, intelligence, and caring. Peace be with his family. His memory will last forever in many of us.

Dearest Marilyn and family,
My deepest sympathy on your loss. My prayers are with you.

Janet and Lindsey Todt

I WAS A CLERK FOR THE JUDGES IN PROBATE, PARKED IN THE BASEMENT AND MET JUDGE ELROD
IN THE ELEVATOR MANY TIMES, HE WAS A FINE MAN AND WILL BE MISSED BY ALL

To Marilyn and the entire Elrod Family,it was my great pleasure to work directly under Him from 1978 until 1983, What a Wonderful Caring Man Richard J. Elrod was. I saw him a few years back at the Daley center, he not only remembered my name but that of my entire Family, of all things I was always amazed at his incredible recall ability. I know the World will be one less wonderful person short, My most Sincere Condolences on your loss, I know Many more people will also feel the gravity of his absence.

CCSD Retired

Correction: In fact 90 (Ninety) is Tzadik (in Hebrew means Righteous) and 80 actually stands for GVURA (in Hebrew) which means HERO. So please excuse my error, but I did say that Judge Elrod was to Chicagoans our Hero so that the exact at age "80" passing is Heavely witness to this one of the main attributes of the late Judge Elrod.

Ed Steinlauf

Our condolences to Judge Elrod, aleh veshalom's, family. He helped me on several occasions, with advice in the beginning of the Chicago part of my legal career as a dear, sweet and kind friend. I believe he was a true hero to all Chicagoans and certainly a tremendous credit to the Jewish community. TZADIK (meaning also a RIGHTEOUS person) has in the Hebrew alphabet a letter by the same name and it's numerical equivelant is eighty (80). That the summation of the years of his life stood exactly on that letter seems to be a heavenly sent testimony as to the character of this fine man.

Ed (Eli) and Nechama Steinlauf
Jerusalem, Israel

My condolences to the Elrod Family. My name is Tom Cronin and I was a Chicago Police Officer who was shot on Oct. 10, 1969 and was hospilized at Illinios Research (U of I) hospital for my injuries, the day before the Judge was injured. When I woke up on the 4th day, Monday my hospital room was full of flowers. The judges wife not only sent them up from his room, but she also made a visit to my room. Never will forget the kindest of his wife. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Tom Cronin
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Dear Marilyn, Steven and Audrey
Even though I'm not with you today, I'm sharing your loss as Dick was so much a part of my life for so many years. I'm proud to have been part of his accomplishments and will carry these wonderful memories in my heart forever.
Rest in peace with Sid and Eddie.

Love
Sue

Was a privilege to serve under the leadership of such a fair man with an unbelievable memory for people. My thoughts are with his family.

I am so sorry for your loss. He was an extraordinary, wonderful man.

My sincere condolences to Marilyn and family. Having known Judge Elrod for over forty years, it was an honor and privilege to have served under him as Sheriff of Cook County. He was a great Sheriff, but an even greater person!

Steve:
I know how much you admired your Dad and what a great lawyer he was. Your loss is also a loss to our profession, he was very proud of you and his entire family. My condolences to you and your family.

Chuck Smith

Dear Elrod Family: please accept my condolences on the passing of Judge Elrod. He was a top-notch Judge with great temperament and wisdom. When he ruled you believed justice was done. Add to that his kindness and sensitivity and the lawyer appearing before him experienced the model for judges. Obviously there is more to a great man than his work and I know much can be said of judge Elrod's other notable life time achievements. I will let others speak on his known generosity and charitable work. I hope the memories of his great life and the high regard everyone who was touched by him will help lessen the grief of Judge Elrod's passing. He will be missed by many.
Ariel Weissberg.

Dear Family

Coming from the West Side of Chicago we were taught the meaning fairness and the need to be a friend to all and to treat all with respect at all times.

Judge Elrod certainly learned his lesson well.

In the times I had the occsion to appear before him he exhibted that atribute to the attorneys as well as the litigants that were fortuate to have him as the Judge in their matter. He always had patience and did what he had to do to try and resolove all issues before him with utmost fairness to everyone. You might not have agreed with his decsion but you respected them because you knew he was doing what he thought was the best for all.

His absence on the bench will be noted and he will be missed by many.

I am fortuate to have had the opportunity to apear before him during my 55 years as an attorney in Cook County.

My sympathry to his family in his passing but know he left his mark with the legal community of Cook County.





Burton L. Hoffman

Dear Marilyn, I offer my deepest condolences to you and your entire family. He was such a wonderful man.

Marilyn and family
it was an honor to work for Sheriff Elrod he was the BEST !!!
may he rest in peace
Arlene Singer-Bernstein ret#1617

To the Elrod family, deepest sympathy...my thoughts are with you...

Marilyn and Family please accept my sincere condolences for the loss loss of GIANT-GENTLE-MAN the HUSBAND-FATHER- Judge and Sheriff Richard Elrod. My memories of all of you will never be forgotten. Frank Caputo

Growing up in the 24th Ward was an unique experience in the 30's and 40's, especially if we were "COP"s, "Children of Politicians". Dick and I had that kind of bond and while we were not close, we maintained a mutual friendship and I admired his integrity in the face of political and physical tribulations. My condolences to his family.

Dick was truly driven to make a difference in his life and the lives of those around him, and he exceeded brilliantly in doing so. For those of us privileged to know and work with him, he was a compassionate leader, dedicated teacher, relentless mentor, consummate problem solver and lasting friend. We were all blessed to be in his life in some way. Our sympathy and prayers to Marilyn and her loving family. Sharon and Ken Sain, Lincolnwood

Was a pleasure working as your deputy. You were the best. May you rest in Peace.
Deborah Hughes Ret. #3547

To the entire Elrod family, the Loiben family extends its condolences and sympathy. Sincerely, Lois & Don

My Deepest Sympathy for the Elrod Family.

Susan Tuchow

Marilyn and loving family my deepest sympathies .

Marilyn and Family, my deepest sympathies. Cook County lost a great servant, we all lost a dear friend, you lost a Cherished Soul.

Judge Elrod was and is one of my role models as a lawyer, a judge, and a person. I adored his wisdom, intelligence, humor, and courage. I had the extraordinary privilege of trying cases before him and was always astounded at his prodigious memory, knowledge of the law, and enormous common sense. I truly adored him. He will live in my memory forever.

To The Elrod Family; We are sorry for your loss.

To the entire Elrod family,

Our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy for you loss. Dick was a wonderful person and an true inspiration. It was an honor to have known him.

Warmest regards,
Rhonda and Scott Ginsburg

I worked for 7 Sheriffs and Richard Elrod you were the best. Marilyn and family our thoughts and prayers are with you. deepest sympathy.

A warm and compassionate Judge who always wore the best ties. He will be sorely missed by the entire legal community. His courage and perseverance are unmatched. My sincerest condolences to his family. Thanks for sharing him with us. Al Durkin

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again and though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.
Sincerely, Diane and Bob Allen

A true leader in the legal community. A true friend. A wonderful person. He will be sorely missed. Mark Damisch

My first boss what a great!! man. he & Marilyn were always very nice to all the Howlett's we love them very them both very much we will miss him dearly. Our prayers are with Marilyn,Steven and Audrey, Love you!!

To the Elrod Family,
Our families share a wonderful past together. You all have been there for us throughout our lives. We hope we can be of comfort to you , now and always.
Sincerely The Deutsch Family/Glickman/ Stein and our kids

May your Neshama have an Aliyah.

I will remember Sheriff Elrod in my prayers. I so enjoyed my time with him in the Sheriff's office. Lynn Sullivan

Marilyn and family: I was saddened to learn this morning that Dick had passed away. I have known Dick since our days together in the Young Democrats and we served together on the bench for many years. He was a wonderful person and we will all miss him. With my deepest sympathies. Judge Wayne Rhine (Ret.)

I am so sorry to hear of Judge Elrod's passing. He was a great man, a great, caring friend, a wonderful mentor, and one of the finest judges our community has ever seen. He is irreplaceable and will be missed by all who were privileged to know him. My condolences to the Elrod family.

Marilyn and Family please accept my condolences on the passing of Richard. It was an honor and privilege to serve on his bodyguard detail.You always made us feel that we were part of your family. I will always cherish these memories.
Joe Brosnan CCSPD retired #119

Marilyn and Family Please accept my condolences on the passing Richard. It was an honor and privi

To all the Elrod Family we send our condolences. Dick was special and will be sorely missed. Lynn and Richard Cohen

May God give you power beyond what is normal to help you endure during this difficult time.2Corinthians 4:7

Marilyn & Family,please accept my deepest condolences on the Sheriff's passing. I know he was a fine judge but he will always be THE Sheriff to me!
God Bless you all!
JSM #499

Thank You, Sir!