Richard Goglin

Richard J. Goglin, 90, a former resident of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away on August 31, 2006 at North Logan Health Care in Danville, Illinois. Richard was born on May 2, 1916 in Chicago, Illinois to Alexander and Francis Goglin. He attended Lane Tech High School in Chicago, but left during the Depression to serve in the Civilian Conservation Corps. After his service, he returned to Chicago and began working in the construction industry; ultimately becoming a union carpenter. He married the former Jean Mae Aarvold of Chicago on January 27, 1945. They moved to southern California in the early years of their marriage, where they owned and operated the Silver Spur tavern. In 1953 they returned home and settled in DeKalb, Illinois, where they raised their family. During the expansion of what was then the Normal Teachers College to the present Northern Illinois University, Richard worked on a number of major campus buildings. These included the Science building, the Student Union, the Medical Center, the Newman Center Chapel and the NIU Stadium. He finished his construction career in DeKalb with the completion of the Kishwaukee Hospital. He was active in union activities and local politics, serving as a precinct committeeman for the Democratic Party. Richard was a member of the Moose Club and St. Marys Catholic Church in DeKalb. He completed his construction career as the assistant superintendent with the Alexian Brothers Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Upon his retirement in 1979, he moved to Danville, Illinois to live near his daughter Chris Lucas and her family. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, three brothers, his infant son and his wife Jean, who passed away in 1969. He is survived by his sons, Steve of Beach Park, Illinois and Daniel (Joyce) of Ashland, Wisconsin; his daughter, Chris (Bill) Lucas of Danville, Illinois; eight grandchildren, Tina Goglin-Caswell of Beach Park, Illinois, Mark (Julie) Goglin of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, Tara Goglin of Gurnee, Illinois, Mike Goglin, Greg Goglin, and Laura Goglin all of Ashland, Wisconsin, Doug Lucas of Danville, Illinois, and Jeff Lucas of Chicago, Illinois. Richard is also survived by one very special great-grandchild Teagan Caswell of Beach Park, Illinois. Richard was a devoted and loving grandfather, showing and expressing great pride and joy in all of his grandchildren. He enjoyed attending their school and sporting events, having a strong and influential impact on their lives.