Richard Cummings

Richard Cummings loved fishing, hunting and spending as much time outdoors as possible. On January 30, 2020, at the age of 74, Richard passed away at home in Lanark, Illinois, after a short illness. He leaves a brother, James (Linda) Cummings of Menasha, WI and a sister, Barbara Anderson of Skokie, IL. He is also survived by a niece Crystal Janousek of Kaukauna, WI; a nephew, James J Cummings of Stevens Point, WI; two great-nieces, Cloe Janousek, Kaukauna, WI and Maggie Janousek, Kaukauna, WI; a great-nephew Jaxon Cummings, Stevens Point, WI; and several close friends, all of whom he loved dearly.

Richard was born June 19, 1945 in Wild Rose, Wisconsin, the son of Arthur and Marcia (Johnson) Cummings. Richard’s father made a career in the US Air Force serving during WWII, so while Richard was growing up, he lived in England, attended grade school in Morocco, and graduated high school in Minot, North Dakota. (His least favorite place to live.)

Richard served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. His passion to protect his country was born out of his family’s dedication to serve, starting with his great-great-grandfather serving during the Civil War, and his great-grandfather serving during WWI. Richard served several years in the Navy aboard the USS New Jersey and participated in the Vietnam combat tour.

After serving in the military, he pursued his desire to be close to nature by building and living two years in a primitive cottage in the woods of Wisconsin, finding food and living off of the land. At the end of the second winter, Richard decided that living in Skokie at his sister’s home was going to be a lot better than living in the cold Wisconsin woods. He spent 20 years in Skokie and worked as a machinist and CNC operator for John Crane, Inc.

Richard later returned to the outdoors to hunt and fish by retiring to Northwest Illinois, living in Lanark. He often hunted and went fishing with his close friends, including Jack Kucmierz, or spending time with his neighbor Randy Wyckoff. He enjoyed rooting for the Green Bay Packers or New England Patriots, woodworking and photography. Richard will be remembered fondly for his stubbornness when debating politics, but most of all being a dedicated friend.

A family memorial service and military honors will be held at a later date with inurnment in the family burial plot in Almond, Wisconsin. Law-Jones Funeral Home is humbly honored to serve the family.