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Obituary for Richard N. Lamermayer
Richard (Dick) N. Lamermayer, age 96, surrounded by the love of family, was peacefully called Home to be with our Lord on Friday, December 20, 2024.
Dick was born on December 14, 1928, in Chicago. He attended St. Andrews grade school where his future wife was also a student. He noticed Jinny playing with neighborhood children and imagined that her warm and kindhearted nature would make her a spectacular mother someday. While attending high school at DePaul Academy he began dating Jinny. After graduating from Loyola University and completing his studies at Northwestern University Dental School he served two years in the Navy. Dick and Jinny were married in 1955, "Because," he said, "I just cherished her heart!"
Retired Navy Captain Lamermayer began his career as a dentist traveling to Japan and the Philippines aboard the destroyer tender USS Bryce Canyon. When he started his first assignment his superior officers referred to him as "the boy dentist."
At the end of his active-duty naval assignment Dick remained active in the reserves and continued his dental practice in Kenilworth, IL. His 46 years of dentistry included 6 years as a part-time dental instructor at Northwestern University Dental School. He retired from the Naval Reserves at the age of 60 and from his dental practice at age 70.
Dick, better known as "Doc" in the Scouting world, was the Scoutmaster of Troop 57 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Glenview, IL, for 14 years and helped guide twelve Scouts to the rank of Eagle during that period. He was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow, received the Silver Beaver award, and served as an instructor and course director for multiple Wood Badge training sessions for adult volunteers.
In his 50's, Dick started running. A lot! Over the next three decades he completed 1631 races including 40 marathons, 90 half marathons, and numerous triathlons, becoming one of the first inductees into the Chicago Area Runners Association Hall of Fame. At some point he found time to become certified to measure USATF sanctioned road race courses. He ran his last glorious race at age 87.
One of his lifelong passions was birding. The 700+ bird species on his life list often involved driving cross-country with Jinny at a moment's notice to see a rare bird.
As a man of faith and ever the servant, Dick was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Holy Angels food pantry volunteer, local election judge, and Habitat for Humanity volunteer. To fill in the slow days, Dick and his gracious and loving wife, Jinny, were temporary care parents for 32 babies over a period of 12 years through Catholic Charities.
Dick was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Virginia (Carr) Lamermayer; his parents, Frank and Christl (Krunes) Lamermayer; a sister, Elizabeth Lamermayer; a grandson, Matthew Conlin; three sisters-in-law, Joan Dickie, Patricia Spalding, Anne Carr; two brothers-in-law, Ron Carr and Myrle Dickie; and his son-in-law, Paul Spink. In addition to his children below, he is survived by brother-in-law Martin Spalding, Sr.
He is loved by his nine children, Richard (Jane) Lamermayer of Marshfield, WI, Elizabeth Spink of Volo, IL, Therese (Pat) Conlin of Aurora, IL, Nancy (Jim) Landis of Cedar Rapids, IA, Kathryn Lamermayer of Chicago, IL, Kristine Lamermayer of Aurora, IL, Steven (Emma) Lamermayer of Aurora, IL, Paul Lamermayer of Fairfield, OH, and Linzie (Rachel) Lamermayer of Aurora, IL; twenty six grandchildren; thirty two great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. His children would like to thank dad for his constant love and support. He embodied dedication to family, servant leadership, a sense of adventure and travel, fascination with nature, healthy risk taking, being your best, concern for others, hard work, enjoying quiet time, and utmost devotion to faith and marriage.
His children would also like to thank the following extra special angels on earth who accompanied, cherished, and loved mom and dad in their later years: his caregiver, Ruth, his personal yoga instructor, Diane, and the yoga master, Jeff. Also, we would like to express our appreciation to those who cared for Dad at Ascension Mercy Hospital: the wonderful and generous, Dr. Dhodia, and the amazingly humble and compassionate team of caregivers during his final days.
Visitation will be held Sunday, December 29, 2024 from 2:30 PM until 6:00 PM at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 North Lake Street Aurora, IL 60506, 630-631-5500. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 30, 2024 at 10:00 AM from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY; to Holy Angels Church at 10:30 AM; Fr. Dean Smith will celebrate mass with interment to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Please visit our interactive website at www.daleidenmortuary.com to leave condolences for Richard's family or sign the guest book.
Arrangements are being handled by THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 North Lake Street, Aurora, Illinois 60506. (630) 631-5500.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dick's name to Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Endowment Fund, Northeast Illinois Council, Scouting America, 850 Forest Edge Drive, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061; or Society of St. Vincent dePaul, Holy Angels Parish, 180 S. Russell Ave., Aurora, IL 60506; or Sister Paulanne's Needy Family Fund, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1775 Grove St, Glenview, IL 60035.
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