Charles Randall Whitchurch

Charles Randall “Randy” Whitchurch was a practical, vibrant, passionate, loving father, husband, friend, community activist and lover of Golden Retrievers. Randy died August 21, 2024 in Door County, WI, a place near and dear to his heart. The cause was complications due to esophageal cancer which he had been battling for a year and a half. He passed surrounded by his family, friends and three dogs. His departure will be felt by so many who loved and admired him.

Randy was born on August 29, 1946 in Evanston, IL. He grew up in Evanston IL, Danbury, CT and Wilmette, IL. He was a graduate of New Trier High School (1964), Beloit College (1968), and Stanford Business School (1973). Randy volunteered to serve in the army, and did so from 1968 to 1971. As a graduate of Officers Candidate School, he was honorably discharged as a Second Lieutenant.

Randy spent his career dedicated to Chicago technology companies. It was a successful career that let him pursue his interests and curiosity in cutting-edge technologies. He remained an early adopter until his last day. He served as the CFO of several technology manufacturing companies throughout his career, most notably as the CFO of Zebra Technologies where he worked from 1991 until his retirement in 2008. Randy additionally served on the boards of aviation, manufacturing and technology firms, stepping down from his last role in early 2024.

Randy’s passions and capacity for mastery were many. He was an avid tennis player, a runner, a cyclist, a pilot, a lover of history and books and of the Chicago Cubs. He had 12 golden retrievers in his life from the age of 16 and was always seen out and about with one of them. Randy was a “girl dad” long before the term was coined, enthusiastically coaching and leading his daughter and her friends in countless activities. A passionate Winnetkan, Randy was a leader in preserving the lakefront park and beach space as shared community assets for all to enjoy. Randy is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jane, his daughter Kay and his final golden retriever, Gus.

Services will be held at Kenilworth Union Church in Kenilworth, IL on Saturday, September 21 at 3:30pm. Following the service, a reception will be held at his beloved Centennial Park in Winnetka, IL.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Randy’s name to the Morris Animal Foundation, an organization for which he held great admiration.