Edward "Rick Edwards" Richter

Edward R. Richter, 94, went to be with the Lord on Monday, July 20, 2015 Rick was born Dec. 6, 1920, in Freeport, Ill. After graduating from Aquin High School and Brown's Business College in Freeport, he went to work for the federal government in Washington, D.C. A veteran of World War II, Rick served in the Naval Reserve and the U.S. Army, with duty overseas in the Asiatic-Pacific campaign. After World War II, he was employed at Crum and Forster Insurance in Freeport but then returned to work for the federal government in Chicago. While in Chicago, he attended Columbia College and Midwestern School of Broadcasting. During his career, Rick also attended the University of Maryland and the University of Georgia. Rick started his radio career in 1951. Before moving into management, his background was that of a newscaster, sportscaster, DJ, talk show host, copywriter and salesman. He began at WRAC in Racine, Wis., doing play-by-plays. He then moved on to WRRR in Rockford, Ill., where he initiated a talk show. His next stop was WROK in Rockford where he resumed his play-by-play career. Then after a stint at WLBK in DeKalb, Ill., he moved to Freeport to take over management of WELL-FM. Later, he became vice president and general manager of Triadd Stations, owner and operator of radio and cablevision stations in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. He was a member of the board of directors of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Ambassador Club, serving a term as director. On Sept. 1, 1973, he went into cablevision and managed the office in Freeport. During his 12-year stay in cablevision, he was also on the board of directors of the Illinois-Indiana Cablevision Association, serving as president for three years. In 1979 he was inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame in the media division as a result of his play-by-play work. He married Marjorie M. Behn of Chicago on Jan. 21, 1956. After retirement, he and Marjorie moved to Tucson, Ariz. There, he served on the board of directors of a private golf course, Rolling Hills, and was president for three years. He was also president of the Men's Club for a number of years. He served on 13 other boards of directors as a member and officer in various cities. He and his wife moved to Arlington in 1999. Two of the experiences he most enjoyed reminiscing about were his 14 years of broadcasts of live play-by-play basketball tournaments from Champaign, Ill., and the two holes-in-one he got while golfing. Rick served for many years as a lector and a captain of lectors at Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Arlington. Preceding him in death were his wife, Marjorie; parents, Edward and Anna Richter; sister, Luella Eichmeier; and a brother, Paul. Survivors: Daughter, Lynne Marie Roloff and her husband, Scott; granddaughter, Kalie of Arlington; son, Douglas and his wife, Ronda; granddaughters, Melissa (Randy) Asche, Dawn (Brian) Bull, and Lori (Randy) Boyer; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter, all of Freeport, IL; and her close friend Mercy Keefe and family. A graveside service will be held 10:30 A.M. Tuesday July 28, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Freeport, (Corner of South Street and Armstrong Ave.) with Father Robert Camacho officiating. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign his online guestbook and to share memories.