Richard Emmons Luthin

Richard (Dick) Emmons Luthin was born August 8, 1929 in Hinsdale, Illinois and began his final journey June 14, 2025 in Freeport, Illinois. Dick was the son of Emmons F. and Ruth (Roberts) Luthin. Richard married Sally Rideout on June 28, 1952 in Freeport, Illinois.

Dick graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1947. He attended Lawrence College and graduated cum laude while receiving his BA degree in 1951. He served in the US Army from 1951 to 1953, holding the rank of sergeant.

Dick received his MBA and CPA certificate in 1957 from the University of Chicago.

Dick and Sally moved to Freeport in 1961, where he became Supervisor of Cost and Inventory Accounting and Internal Auditor for Micro Switch from 1961 until 1972. He then served Highland Community College as Dean of Business Services from 1972 until retiring in 1992. Dick volunteered for the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and United Way. He served as Alderman for the City of Freeport from 1963 to 1971. He was a member of the Stephenson County Planning Commission and served as chairperson.

Other memberships include: Freeport Noon Kiwanis for 59 years, serving as president and treasurer, Parkview Home serving as president of the Board of Directors and treasurer, Northwest Illinois Audubon Society, serving as president and a member of the Board of Directors, Jane Addamsland Park Foundation Board of Directors, serving as treasurer, Natural Land Institute Board of Directors, YMCA Board of Directors, Illinois Association of Community College Business Administrators serving as chairperson, Union Savings Bank Board of Directors.

Dick received numerous awards, but of note are the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society Land Stewardship Award and Kiwanian of the Year. Dick was an active member of Embury United Methodist Church until it closed, serving as chairperson of the Administrative Council, deacon and several committees and commissions.

Dick’s commitment to Freeport and the surrounding area also included supporting local arts, including concert performances and plays at Highland College, Winneshiek and Timber Lake Playhouse. Dick frequently traveled to Monroe, Milwaukee and Madison to watch live shows and operas. In earlier times, Dick spent many hours in his garden. Dick also loved fishing, bird watching and being in nature.

Dick was a frequent traveler with Sally and in later years with his friend and partner, Carol Russell, having visited every state and many countries. In 2022, Dick went on his last trip abroad to Ireland where he enjoyed the culture, food and music with his four kids.

Dick was a true Renaissance man, and his quest for knowledge lasted his entire life. He was an avid reader and enjoyed a wide diversity of topics, from history of ancient cultures to mathematics to life sciences to chaos theory and Stoicism. He most enjoyed sharing his knowledge with his kids, grandkids and friends. Watching Great Course videos consumed much of his time, and he also treasured his afternoon Great Course group discussions with friends at Parkview. He enjoyed wine each day and the occasional single malt Scotch and rye whiskey, and he invited his sons and son-in-law on quarterly whiskey nights with the boys.

He ”lived large” almost until the time of his passing, having spent four days on the road with Carol, enjoying stays at B & Bs in southern Wisconsin, an art tour in Mount Horeb and a concert in Monroe a few weeks ago. Dick was kind to and patient with everyone, showed no prejudices and embraced diversity within the human community. He was exceptionally generous of his time as a volunteer and money as a supporter. He donated to dozens of nonprofit organizations for many years and created two endowment funds with different foundations.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Sally, his parents and his eldest son Gary.

Survivors include Charlie “Chuck” (Nancy Piraino) Luthin, Mark (Laurie) Luthin, Laura (Doug) Dufford, Dave (Pat) Luthin and his partner of many years, Carol Russell. Dick was most proud of his six grandchildren and what they have accomplished: Katie (Matt) Gurklis, Courtney Dufford, Adam (Anne) Luthin, Emily Dufford, Rory Luthin and Riley Luthin and his great grandson, Bryson Gurklis.

Memorial gifts are welcome in lieu of flowers. Two separate endowment funds were created by Dick, and the family wishes for any gifts to be made to these funds:

1. Luthin Family Endowment with the Foundation for Northwest Illinois, online at: https://fornwil.org/donors/established-funds/

Checks can be sent to: Foundation for Northwest Illinois (Memo: Luthin Family Endowment), 1525 S. Forest Rd., Suite 200, Freeport IL 61032.

1. Luthin Family Fund with the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, online at:

https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/wisconservation

Checks can be sent to Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (Memo: Luthin Family Fund), 211 S. Patterson Street, Suite 100, Madison WI 53703.

A celebration of life for Dick will be held at Parkview Home, 1711 West Church Street, Freeport, Illinois on Monday, June 23rd, 10:00am to 12:00pm (multi-purpose room and Rathskeller). The schedule is as follows: visiting with family and friends begins at 10am. At 11:30, there will be a selection of readings followed by an open mic when friends and family can offer their tributes. Following a veteran’s farewell, a modest lunch will be served at noon. Interment will be private.