Richard Axel (Dick) Vikander, 93, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2021. He was born on April 13, 1927 to Swedish parents in Chicago. Richard graduated from Sullivan High School in the Rogers Park neighborhood. He graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Naval Science and Accounting. Richard was a member of the ROTC and served as an officer. He continued as an officer in the Naval Reserves after college. He was also a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Richard later attended Northwestern University and earned his CPA.
Richard worked at Lapham-Hickey Steel Corporation for over 25 years. He began his career there as a Controller and retired from Lapham-Hickey as a Vice President at the age of 65. Richard was a very active member of the National Accountants Association, Chicago chapter. He served several years as President of this organization. After retiring, Richard continued working as an accountant, filing personal tax returns and the returns of his retirement community organization.
Richard and his loving wife, Shirley, retired to Florida, where Richard loved playing golf. They lived in North Fort Myers and the Tampa area.
Richard’s favorite activities were golf, ping pong, dancing with his dear wife, being active in his family and community activities, and eating. He was a lifelong fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and even attended the famous 1950 “Snow Bowl” football game in Columbus Ohio. He had a strong love, pride, and connection to his relatives and roots in Sweden.
Richard and Shirley spent many days of retirement traveling. They loved traveling in Europe, especially, Italy.
Richard was always interested in keeping up with new things and technology. It wasn’t unusual for his inquisitive nature to take him off the beaten path to learn about new things around him.
Richard was a giving, kind, happy, and trusting gentleman. He had a fun sense of humor, loved to smile, and see smiles from others. Richard believed in the goodness of people and was always grateful. A gentle, sweet soul, appreciated by all who knew him.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Axel and Agnes (Gustafsson) Vikander, his sister Alice (the late Paul) Mattson, and his brothers Harold (the late Ruth and Rose) Vikander, and Arthur (June) Vikander, niece Phyllis (Jay) Slaughter, and nephews Thomas Vikander and Theodore Vikander.
Richard is survived by his wife Shirley (nee Hicks); they were the loves of each other’s lives. He is also survived by his daughters, Barbara (the late Anthony) Baechler, Nancy (Jay) Grove, and Gean Stawinski; grandchildren, Jeremiah Baechler, Tony Baechler, Michelle (Benjamin) Ricca, Thomas (Elizabeth) Grove, Roy (Amanda) Kressman, Rhea (Evan) Bruno, Keith (Cori) Pullman; nine great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; step-children, Cecilia (Gary) Bolender, Richard (Gina) Kemper, Jr., and Theresa (Joe) Lafontaine; step-grandchildren, Jason (Katherine) Peterson, Christopher (Jamie) Allums, Aaron (Briann) Lafontaine, Christina (Aaron) Bond, Patrick, Joshua, and Caleb Kemper, and Katie (Christopher) Stevens; eight step-great-grandchildren.
As a Navy and World War II veteran, Richard enjoyed the heartwarming experience of the Honor Flight. Along with other veterans, he was flown to Washington, D.C. The day was spent visiting memorials, especially the newest, most meaningful, World War II Memorial.
Because of his deep appreciation for the Navy, the family requests any memorial donations be made in Richard’s memory to honorflightchicago.org
Services will be private with interment at Ridgewood Cemetery.
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