Richard William Heuer

Richard “Dick” William Heuer, of Crystal Lake, passed away on Saturday, May 28, 2026, at the age of 92.

Born on a farm in June 1933 on land that would later become part of O’Hare International Airport, Richard was the youngest of three children. His early years were shaped by the rhythms of farm life until 1942, when the government acquired the family’s property for the war effort. The family then moved to Des Plaines, where his ingenuity and strong work ethic began to take root.

Richard graduated from Maine Township High School in 1951. While still a student, he discovered a love of printing and took classes that helped shape his future. Soon after graduation, he co-founded Evergreen Press with a classmate and their former printing teacher. Together, they worked tirelessly, operating their own shop while also working in local print shops, until the Korean War draft was reinstated and Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Richard served with the 11th Airborne at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. After basic training, he was assigned to Division Headquarters G1 Section and later transferred to Frankfurt, Germany, where he worked in the Adjutant’s Office of the 7th Ordnance Battalion. He often described his military service as enlightening, and throughout his life he shared stories of the people, places, and experiences that shaped him.

After completing his service, Richard returned home with the same entrepreneurial spirit he had left with. Reuniting with his friend and, with the help of his friend’s father, they revived Evergreen Press, purchased a building in Wheeling, and expanded the business. They continued their work until 1970. During this time, they also acquired and published the Wheeling Independent Newspaper.

Later, Richard entered the rubber stamp business and founded Mohawk Stamp Company. What began with a single stationery store grew into a business serving more than 300 dealers across several states. He sold the company in 1991 and “retired” for only a few months before joining Chicago Title Company in Woodstock, where he worked for another four years. In 1979, he and his family settled in Crystal Lake, where they remained until 2026.

Retirement never truly slowed him down. Richard joined the Knights of Columbus and devoted his remarkable mind and hands to designing and building model ships, building puzzles, bowling (including tournaments with his son and granddaughter), creating intricate models, various projects, and repairing nearly anything that needed attention. His hands were rarely still, and his curiosity never faded.

Though admired for his intelligence, skill, and tireless work ethic, Richard’s greatest devotion was always his family.

In his final years, dementia gradually dimmed the sharp mind that had mastered every machine, tool, and business challenge. It was a heartbreaking illness for his family to witness. Yet even as memory faded, his gentle nature, quiet humor, and deep love for those closest to him remained.

After his beloved “sweetie,” Charlotte, passed away a little more than two months ago, Richard often could not remember what had happened or why she was gone. Yet he was always searching for “home.” In time, his family came to understand that home was never simply a place; it was Charlotte, his darling wife, love of his life, and the person he missed beyond words.

His family finds comfort in believing they are together again, free from pain and reunited in heaven, with all the Swedish Fish, Dove Bars, Baileys, and Werther’s they could ever want, alongside their beloved dog, Monty.

Richard was cherished for his intelligence, kindness, wit, and wisdom. He taught his children and grandchildren lessons they will carry throughout their lives. His legacy endures in every repaired toy, every retold story, every value passed down, and every quiet act of strength.

He fought until he had nothing left to give, and now he rests in peace.

Richard is survived by his children, Edward Heuer and Laura Nevers, and by his four grandchildren, Casey Heuer, Breanne Nevers, Grant Nevers, and Chloe Nevers along with several nieces and their children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Josephine (nee Gewecke) Heuer; his stepmother, Gwen Heuer; his brother, Ray Heuer; his sister, Shirley Kovalik; and his loving wife of 67 years, Charlotte Heuer (nee Stopka).

Visitation will be held Friday, June 12th, from 8:30am until prayers at 9:30am at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E Terra Cotta Ave (Rt. 176) Crystal Lake, followed by procession to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church for the funeral Mass at 10am. Burial will follow at Windridge Memorial Park, Cary.