Richard Wachsmuth

****The obituary was written to show the heart of both families. While Natalie and Rick did not have the opportunity to have an actual wedding with court documents to make it legal, the wording reflects how the families wish to express themselves.

Richard (Rick) Edward Wachsmuth (34) of Schaumburg went home to be with his Lord on August 5, 2020, dying of brain cancer at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Richard “Rick” E. Wachsmuth; loving son of Virginia and Robert; cherished brother of Amanda (Nicholas Gray Heavens) Wachsmuth Heavens; foster brother of Bonnie Shipley; proud uncle of Aria and Aragorn; beloved fiance of Natalie Kruser; son in law to be of Leslie and Dave Kruser; many cousins and numerous friends.

Rick was born on July 18, 1986, in Montclair, California and, after a challenging start in a group home and foster care, began a new life at age 2.5 as the adopted son of Robert and Virginia Wachsmuth. After spending his early childhood in California and Colorado, he moved with his family to Hanover Park just before his 9th birthday and spent the rest of his life in Schaumburg Township. He graduated from Schaumburg High School and earned certificates in maintenance and welding from Harper College as well as becoming a certified locksmith. His career calling was as a maintenance technician lead, most recently at Beacon Hill / LifeSpace Communities in Lombard, where he equally loved the challenge of solving unexpected problems and spending time visiting with residents.

Rick’s interests included hunting and fishing, roller skating (including roller dancing), adventurous eating and conversations with friends around a good fire pit. His greatest passions, however, were serving Jesus Christ, and spending time with the love of his life Natalie. Rick loved Bible study, teaching videos by Francis Chan and meeting with his mentor Pastor Ron Heitman of Evangel Church in Hanover Park. Rick wooed Natalie with creativity and love, asking her to marry him in Spring 2019 on bended knee. While their original wedding plans were interrupted by Covid-19 and cancer, they were still able to enjoy a Christian celebration of love ceremony while Rick lay in the hospital. Rick died peacefully holding Natalie’s hand with his mother by his side —the two women he loved most

Visitation Saturday August 8, 2020 at Evangel Church, 5700 Bartels Rd., Hanover Park 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service 12:00 p.m (Noon). Following the funeral service box lunches will be available outside the church please provide your own lawn chair.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations be sent to the attention of Elizabeth Gordon at Northwestern University (  [email protected]  ) at the Nervous System Tumor Bank Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Simpson Querrey Building 6-500 303 E. Superior St.Chicago, Il. 60611.

Arrangements and cremation by Countryside Funeral Home & Crematory, 950 South Bartlett Rd., (at Stearns Rd.) Bartlett. 630-289-7575 for additional information see www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com