Richard M. Barancik

Richard M. Barancik, 98 of Chicago, Illinois died July 14th, 2023. Husband of the late Claire Holland, Suzanne Hammerman, and Rema Stone; devoted father of Robert (Amy Blake), Michael, Cathy B. Graham, Jill (Michael O’Briant), and Ellie. Grandfather of Elizabeth (Jason Reynolds), Kaitlin (Nick Wilton), and Juliet and Thomas Graham. Great-grandfather of Torben and Bowie Wilton and Alexander Jonas Reynolds. Brother of the late Shirley Lang, Charles Barancik (Margery) and Dr. Maurice Barancik (Maija). Son of the late Carrie Grawoig and Dr. Henry Barancik. Bemused companion of Noodles the Norwich Terrier and Frannie Bee, the Labradoodle.

Richard was larger than life, a true original who defied convention. A lifelong Chicagoan, he was an architect and a real estate developer by trade, and an artist and enthusiastic art collector. He had an impeccable eye for art and design, no matter if it was high or low. He knew what he loved… and surrounded himself with those things, whether they were paintings, ship models or miniatures. He loved the cool weather and rocky coastline of the Monterey Peninsula where he had a home for more than thirty years. He had many passions including flying, boating, hiking, reading, rock gardening and tennis. He had a razor-sharp mind and an irreverent sense of humor until the very end, drawing political cartoons for his mailing list of friends and family. The last cartoon was completed just three days before his death. He was not afraid to go against the grain and delighted in being a contrarian. He was the last of his generation. A survivor.

Richard was born in Chicago in 1924 to his parents, Carrie Grawoig and Dr. Henry Barancik. He served in the United States Army during World War II in England, France and Austria and was the last remaining member of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) Section, otherwise known as “The Monuments Men.” In 1995, Richard travelled to Washington, D.C. where the Monuments Men collectively received the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal.

After attending Cambridge University and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts at Fontainebleau as a soldier after the War, Richard returned home and finished his architecture degree at the University of Illinois. He and his instructor Richard Conte founded the architecture firm Barancik Conte & Associates in 1950 and designed many private homes, office buildings and campuses, and distinctive high-rises that dot the Chicago skyline, including 990 North Lake Shore Drive, 100 East Bellevue Place, 1310 North Ritchie Court, Eugenie Terrace and 211 East Ontario, in addition to numerous projects across the country. He retired in 1993 and began spending part of the year in Pebble Beach, California, a place he considered to be paradise. He served on many boards over the years including the Latin School of Chicago, the San Francisco Asian Art Museum, The Monterey Institute of International Studies and the Monterey Museum of Art.

He leaves behind a rich legacy in his buildings, his artwork, and his family.

The family wishes to thank Ponciana Wilson for her exceptional dedication, care and friendship.

A private memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Monuments Men and Women Foundation, (866) 994-4278, https://www.monumentsmenandwomenfnd.org/support