Obituary

Heaven got all it can handle when Richard Charles Opfer passed away peacefully in his sleep in Springfield, Missouri on Friday evening July 8, 2022. Richard was born on September 17, 1934, in the Bronx, New York. He spent his early years in Island Park, NY where he attended Island Park Grammar School. His family then moved to Lindenhurst, NY where he attended Lindenhurst High School and spent many summers working as a lifeguard on Jones Beach. After high school, Richard served in the U.S. Marine Corps stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in California. Following his service, Richard attended the University of Connecticut where he earned his B.S. in Business Administration, played football and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Richard is survived by his son Craig and wife Angie Wise of Portland, Oregon, his son Scott and wife Tracy (Harvey) of Springfield, Missouri, his son Stuart and wife Katie (Bischoff) of Elmhurst, Illinois, his stepson Michael Schaen and wife Ann (Sandonato) of Mundelein, IIllinois, his stepdaughter Lisa Pennington (Schaen) and Husband Bill Pennington of Plano, Illinois and his stepson Doug Schaen and wife Carol (Schwanbeck) of Marquette, Michigan. He also leaves behind a group of amazing extended family of grandchildren and great grandchildren including Anneliese Mizwicki (Opfer) and husband Dan Mizwicki, Nicholas Opfer, Audrey Opfer, Lorin Fiehler (Opfer) and husband Kyle Fiehler, Austin Opfer, Alix Shantz (Opfer) and husband Riley Shantz, Kasey Opfer, Drew Opfer, Brandon Opfer, Nicole Heacock (Schaen) and husband Scott Heacock, Jenna Robare (Schaen) and husband Mike Robare, Jason Schaen and Samantha Reeve (Pennington) and husband Nathan Reeve. His great grandchildren include Elizabeth "Lulu" Fiehler, Camryn Fiehler, Jack Shantz, Benjamin Reeve, Sydney Reeve, Navy Robare and Lennox Robare Richard was preceded in death by his mother Francis, father Charles, first wife Heather and second wife Joan. Professionally, Richard was an iconic advertising executive and "who's who" of advertising in both New York and Chicago. He served as a senior executive at Look Magazine, Esquire Magazine, and Peterson Publishing's magazine group before becoming a partner of Warden, Kelly, Allen & Opfer, representing multiple brand publications, including Sunset, Southern Living, Hot Rod, Guns & Ammo, Farmer's Almanac, Ducks Unlimited, and more. Personally, Richard was known by his legions of friends and colleagues as a razor-sharp businessman with a firm but fair demeanor, quick wit, and competitive spirit. He never met a golf course (or game) he didn't love and was especially fond of the time he spent with his family and friends at Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield, Illinois, and Pipers Landing Country Club in Palm City, Florida. Richard loved his family, friends, teammates and fellow servicemen. He doted on and adored his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He always put service above self, was a proud American, and a loyal Marine. Semper Fi. Richard Opfer Celebration of Life Service Friday August 12, 2022 3:30-4:30 Visitation & Conversation 4:30-5:30 Family and Friends Memories Service Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home 1787 Deerfield Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035 In lieu of flowers please donate to Orphans of the Storm animal shelter in Riverwoods, Il. Orphansofthestorm.org