Richard Siska Obituary

Siska, Richard R.

On Friday, January 22, 2021, Richard R. Siska of Matteson, IL, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at the age of 86. Rick was born in Chicago, IL on April 25, 1934, and remained a lifelong resident of Chicago until moving to Richton Park, and then settling in Matteson in his later years. Rick loved people. His exuberance lifted others. He knew no strangers, and engaged in conversations everywhere he went. He laughed readily and robustly; he joked frequently. Rick loved his family. He encouraged them to succeed, and proudly boasted their every accomplishment. He always said, "I love you," before hanging up phone conversations. He was actively involved in his children's and grandchildren's lives, eager to participate in their activities, and zealous about teaching them along the way. Rick loved to watch football and was a faithful (if often disappointed) Chicago Bears fan. Rick loved to eat and loved to cook. He enjoyed gardening and landscaping. He adored fishing, and reminisced fondly about fishing trips with family and friends. Rick was actively engaged in his community, attending VA Fish Fries (as an Army veteran himself), and participating in Neighborhood Association meetings. He knew community leaders by name, and actively engaged them on issues that mattered to him and his fellow residents. Rick walked the blocks adjacent to his home each day, looking out for his neighbors, paying attention to what was happening to those around him. Rick had a strong voice and frequently made it heard through letters to the editor of the Chicago Sun Times, a paper he read cover-to-cover every day of his adult life. At the age of 80, Rick's engagement with his community took a new turn. Compelled by author John Fountain's call to action in the Chicago Sun Times, to foster a "revolution within the African-American community . . . for the sake of the children," Rick began reading to children at Matteson Elementary School, where the majority of children lived in homes absent any male role model. Rick was the first volunteer to show up. By his contagious enthusiasm, 'Mr. Rick' (as he was known by the children) actively recruited numerous other men from his community to read to the children, allowing the program to expand district-wide. The group calls Mr. Rick "the program's heart and soul." Rick will be dearly missed by those who survive him: wife of 36 years, Barbara Unger Siska; daughters Susan (Glenn) Siska Schultz and Kate (Bob Paterson) Siska; stepson Michael (Terry) Mason; grandchildren Spencer, Jenna, and Jacob; sister Elaine Klimek; sister-in-law Marilyn Siska; nieces and nephews Vicky, Michael John, Michael Joe, Barbara, Gregory, and Betsey. Rick is predeceased by father Michael Matthew Siska, mother Tillie Pryzpek Siska Kempa, and brother Edward Siska. A celebration of Rick's life will be scheduled when pandemic restrictions are lifted. At this time, the family invites you to make a donation to The Richard Siska Real Men Read Scholarship Fund, to award a college scholarship to a deserving student chosen by Real Men Read founder John Fountain. To learn more about Rick's work in the Real Men Read program, see YouTube link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5103geuLuMA or read John Fountain's Chicago Sun-Times November 21, 2020 article: "For 'Mr. Rick,' my brother from another mother," found at https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2020/11/21/21587764/for-mr-rick-my-brother-from-another-mother-black-students-literacy-john-fountain

Please make donations payable to:

Southland College Prep High School

c/o: The Richard Siska Real Men Read Scholarship Fund

4601 Sauk Trail

Richton Park, IL 60471

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