Richard Knights Dodge

Richard Knights Dodge, 77 years of age, of Chicago, IL, passed away on September 9, 2025 at his home in Lincoln Park, IL. Richard was born on May 14, 1948 in Galesburg, IL to Lour C. Dodge and Nadine Knights Dodge.

Richard grew up in Mt. Prospect, IL and graduated from the Wisconsin State University, Oshkosh with a degree in Business Management and was the President of his Sigma Pi Fraternity. He was a devoted fraternity member and often spoke fondly of the good times he shared in college and after. Richard, also known as RK or Rich, met his wife, Sue Cotts on the steps of the quad on campus. According to him it was “love at first sight”. Sue’s pet name for Richard was RKadian. Many adoring letters have been found that showed just how smitten they were with each other.

On February 10, 1971 Richard married Susan at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay, and together they have been married for the last 54 years. They both traveled together extensively and enjoyed many trips to China. One of their favorite places to be together was the Bark Road cottage in Whitefish Bay, Door County. They enjoyed many years on the lake surrounded by life-long friends whom they adored.

Richard claimed he never worked a day in his life. He was an extremely successful entrepreneur for many, many years, covering a wide variety of areas of expertise. He started his first successful business endeavor in college with creating student supply boxes, which was technically the first version of Amazon in the late 60’s. He went on to importing tropical fish from all over the world, then to importing exotic birds. Richard and Sue had several pet birds together, Macaws and an African Grey. They never had children, but their lives were filled with plenty of love from their dogs over the years including Bernie, Rio, Goldie, Pupper, and Bailey.

Richard eventually saddled into real estate with renovating and purchasing rental buildings throughout the Chicago area. He had loyal members of his team, some that have been with him for 30+ years and helped to create and maintain most of his real estate business. Sue and Richard’s Chicago home on North Lincoln Avenue was a passion project. It was an old theater converted into their personal residence. Embellished with amazing trim carpentry throughout, his specialty, and it exuded in sophistication and style.

Richard was also very skillful with the stock market, an avid reader, a member of a slew of investment groups, and always curious. If he wanted to learn about something that caught his attention, he immersed himself with understanding every aspect of it then made strategic investments. There are many people he would enjoy talking with in regards to the stock market and was eager to share his knowledge and teach his methodologies. If you were lucky enough to get a sweet stock tip, most likely you came out ahead.

Richard was a happy go lucky guy. He never shied away from getting to know people. He appreciated loyalty and people who had a work ethic. A spiced rum with diet coke and a ‘cig’ in hand, some classic tunes in the background and he was a happy camper. Richard is survived by his wife, Sue; his niece, Kim; his sister-in-law, Amy; and his grand nieces and nephews, Hailey, and McKenzie along with Nick and Peter. Richard was preceded in death by his mother and father; and his sister.

Who could ever forget time with Richard! A kind soul with many stories to share from his very full life.

Richard will be laid to rest during a graveside ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery in Jacksonport on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. (Allow extra time for the detour.)

Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. of Sturgeon Bay, WI is assisting the Dodge family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Richard may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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