Richard J. Rychlik

Richard J. Rychlik, 83, a long-time resident of Ridgefield, Connecticut, passed away on September 13, 2022.

Richard was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, and raised in the nearby Free Acres community of Berkeley Heights. Richard and his wife Joan met during high school and later married in 1963. He graduated from Rutgers University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. While in college, Richard worked full-time to finance his education and to help support their young family. He served in the United States Army Reserve and received his honorable discharge in 1968.

Within a year of graduation, Richard began his professional career as a sales representative in the paper industry, initially with Great Northern Paper Company in Chicago, Illinois, and later in Stamford, Connecticut. In 1984, he joined Bulkley Dunton Publishing, which became a division of International Paper, in New York, New York, where he remained until his retirement in 2004.

In 1972, Richard and his family moved from Winfield, Illinois, to Ridgefield, Connecticut, which remained their home for forty-eight years. Over their fifty-nine years of marriage, Richard and his wife Joan cherished time spent with family and friends from every facet of their personal and professional lives. He greatly enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s activities through the years.

Richard, known as Dick, had a radiant smile and loved to laugh. “Grandpa Ricky” enjoyed nothing more than to joke with his grandchildren, whether it be a retelling of the story of “The Green Glow” or saying that his favorite ice cream flavor was banana licorice. He rarely if ever spoke of himself, but always showed a genuine and keen interest in others. In the paper business, he was a mentor to many, was well respected and was more than once called a “legend” in the industry. He was a voracious newspaper reader, a sought-after partner for games of Trivial Pursuit and could give detailed driving directions like no other. The memories generated from camping and ski trips with his family and friends were innumerable. Among his happiest afternoons were spent golfing with his wife at Salem Golf Club. He also enjoyed the fellowship of the Ridgefield Men’s Club upon his retirement.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents Rochus and Anna Kuka Rychlik and his sister Rosemarie Francis Schade. He is survived by his wife Joan Scavuzzo Rychlik, son Peter and wife Ann, son Terrence and wife Monica, son Bruce and wife Kristina, daughter Lauren Rychlik Brewer and husband Joel, as well as grandchildren Niki Meyers and husband Quentin, Claudia, PJ, Anna, Caroline, Alexander, Robert and Conrad.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, September 16, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery; 110 North Street, Ridgefield.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Richard’s name to Meals on Wheels of Ridgefield at http://www.mealsonwheelsofridgefield.org/donate

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