Richard “Dick” Lappin passed away at his home in Barrington on Sunday, May 1st at the age of 77 surrounded by family.

Dick grew up in Detroit and came from humble beginnings. He was the fourth of six children to Tom and Helen Lappin. The family knew how to stretch a dollar and were long on love, hard work and determination.

He attended Sacred Heart Seminary for high school with the aspiration of becoming a priest before ultimately deciding that starting a family of his own was important to him. He received an athletic scholarship for football and basketball to the University of Detroit; however, a broken leg while playing football led him to fencing, maintaining his scholarship.

Dick's plans for starting a family began sooner than anticipated with the birth of his first daughter, Jill. Dick put school on hold and took a job on the assembly line for Chrysler to provide for his family. He was able to finish college by attending night school all while raising a growing family as he welcomed two more children, Rick and Nicole.

Later he met Mimi, who through cruel serendipity had the same aversion to pollen that he did. What started with the lending of an extra allergy pill ended in a beautiful marriage of 39 years and two sons, Sean and Reid. It was Mimi who kept Dick grounded after his success. If not for Mimi, their house would be full of eccentricities that would have been rarely used and expensive to maintain. Alas, Mimi was not always successful, most clearly exemplified by a 15 foot bronze statue of a mime climbing a rope in their living room.

His humble beginnings taught him the value of hard work and Dick was determined to ensure his own family didn’t experience the financial pressures he grew up with. He used to say that there might be a hundred people in any given place that are smarter than you but you can out work them all. He proved that theory by working his way off the Chrysler assembly line into the mail room and eventually becoming the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and a Senior Managing Director of the largest private equity firm in the world.

He never forgot where he came from or the values his parents instilled in him. As he became more successful in the business world he made it a priority to give to worthy causes, particularly that of St. Jude Children's Hospital. He had an infectious smile and was loved by many. His fondness of golf, bacon and chardonnay was only eclipsed by his love for his family and friends.

Dick is survived by his wife Mimi, five children (Jill, Rick, Nicole, Sean and Reid), ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
We will be celebrating Dick on Friday, May 6 at 1:30 at Saint Anne Catholic Community, 120 Ela St. (Corner of Franklin and Ela Sts.) Barrington, IL 60010 followed by what Dick described as “a big party where everyone is happy and having a great time” at Barrington Hills Country Club. All are welcome.

Dick requested that “no one wears black” so the family encourages you to wear brightly colored attire, especially Dick’s favorite color, yellow.