Funeral Details

Richard Kosmacher

April 1, 1959 - May 31, 2025

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM

Service

Anshe Emet Synagogue
3751 North Broadway Street
Chicago, Illinois 60613
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Clergy

Rabbi Michael Siegel
Rabbi D'ror Chankin-Gould
Cantor Rachel Brook
Anshe Emet Synagogue

Interment

Rosehill Cemetery
5800 North Ravenswood Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60660
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Shiva

Kosmacher/Sterne Residence
4518 North Whipple Street
Chicago, Illinois 60625
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Thursday from 6PM-8PM Minyan at 7:30PM
Friday from 2PM-4PM
Saturday from 7PM-9:30PM Havdalah and Minyan at 9:15PM
Sunday from 1PM-3PM and 6PM-8PM Minyan at 7:30PM
Monday from 6PM-8PM Minyan at 7:30PM
Tuesday from 6PM-8PM Minyan at 7:30PM
Wednesday Minyan at 7:30AM

For additional Shiva information please contact Jill Stein at 773.595.6018 or jpstein1@gmail.com.

Memorial Contributions

Anshe Emet Synagogue
3751 North Broadway Street
Chicago, Illinois 60613
www.ansheemet.org
or
Jewish Council On Urban Affairs JCUA
4411 North Ravenswood Avenue, Suite 300
Chicago Illinois 60640
jcua.org





OBITUARY

Richard Alan Kosmacher
4/1/59 - 5/31/25
Our beloved Richard Alan Kosmacher (66) passed away on May 31, 2025 in Champaign, Illinois from complications of a fall.

Born at Long Island Jewish Hospital in New York as the third child in a family that would eventually include four, Richard received his middle name, Alan, in honor of his paternal grandfather Harry, whose middle name was Aaron, and whose Hebrew name was Aharon. His father Kenny wanted all his sons to have middle names they could use as surnames in the event they ever wanted to drop Kosmacher, though none ever did. Kenny was an avid sports fan, and Richard became one as well, as did all his siblings. Baseball was #1, and as a child, he played in the Cedarhurst Little League. A family of three boys meant three Bar Mitzvahs, and for Richard's celebration, they chose to have a small party at home and take a big family trip instead, traveling for two memorable weeks throughout California.

Richard discovered his passions for cycling, photography, and tennis during high school. Cycling led to thousands of miles of ambitious journeys in the U.S. and Europe, scaling mountains (Green, Rockies, Sierras, and Alps ), hugging coasts, and crossing borders. He was accepted into the photojournalism program at the Rochester Institute of Technology but opted to pursue a political science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received his BA in 1981. UW and the liberal arts fed his voracious appetite for learning. Perhaps Richard’s favorite academic outcome was the unexpected friendship he struck up with his jazz history professor, the internationally acclaimed bassist Richard Davis. Richard also fell in love with the southern Wisconsin landscape, where he frequently cycled and hiked.

Richard’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged after college. In the following two decades he set up shop for his various businesses in New York City, Boston, Baltimore, Cleveland, Dallas, St. Louis, and Orlando, finding his sweet spot in Chicago with his Joy of Ireland retail and tea room on Michigan Avenue.

In 1997, Richard met Melissa Sterne at a Jewish Council for Urban Affairs event supporting the Fight for $15 Campaign. Two years later, Richard proposed, committing to a lifelong romance and partnership that thrived on building community and fighting for social justice. They were married on May 16, 1999, in a beautiful ceremony in Cincinnati, OH.

They welcomed sons Gabriel in 2001, and Evan in 2003. An active and involved parent in every way, Richard’s greatest joy in life was raising his sons and watching them grow. Sharing his love of transportation and geography early on, he took them to their beloved Drummond Montessori Magnet School via CTA or Metra every day. During their years at Drummond, Richard and Melissa were core members of a community of families that supported the school at every opportunity—Richard served on the Local School Council, volunteered with the PTO and countless school activities, and built a network of families that continues to gather regularly to this day.

Richard found both a spiritual home and a community of lifelong friends at Anshe Emet Synagogue. As an active member for over two decades, Richard participated in his sons’ religious education, attended services regularly, and joined the Green Team, Anshe Emet’s environmental sustainability committee. The friends he made at the synagogue not only celebrated holidays together, but enjoyed monthly poker games, sporting events across the city, and weekend bike rides.

Richard shared his love of all sports, particularly baseball, with Gabe and Evan. Raising baseball fans in Chicago, one has to make a difficult decision between the Cubs and White Sox; a decision made easy for Richard after visiting the respective box offices. Richard loved going to games with the boys, and as they grew up, they continued to talk and text about sports with the frequency of ESPN updates. He played tennis at McFetridge Park for many years, and as Evan picked up the sport in high school, they moved to park district courts across the city.

In 2002, Richard closed the Joy of Ireland and pivoted toward a rewarding career in sustainable transportation, helping to bring a new concept—car sharing—to Chicago, as part of I-Go Cars with Center for Neighborhood Technology. He loved being part of a vibrant change making organization, with its commitment to environmental sustainability in urban life. After I-Go was sold he continued working in car sharing as the concept shifted into shared mobility, a way to place hybrid vehicles in underserved communities.

As Gabe and Evan continued to grow, Richard was enormously proud of their hard work and independent spirit, and he was a proud University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign dad. He and Melissa loved to visit Champaign-Urbana to spend family time together and meet their sons’ many friends.

In semi-retirement Richard recaptured some of the joys of his youth, serving as a substitute teacher at Chicago Public Schools and as a Bike Ambassador for the City of Chicago, teaching bicycle safety and giving riding lessons across the city he loved.

Beloved husband of Melissa Sterne, and devoted father to Gabriel Kenneth and Evan Joshua Kosmacher. Preceded in death by his parents Kenny and Millie Kosmacher, father-in-law Harold Sterne, and nephew Jeff Sterne. Survived by siblings Karen (Robert) Lazar, Steven Kosmacher, and Jeff Kosmacher, and in-laws Mark (Cari), David (Kathy Brennan), Debbie (Rabbi William Siemers), Cyndi (David Seiden) Sterne, and mother-in-law Judi Sterne, nieces and nephews Kassie (Rich) Spero, Bella and Sophie Kosmacher, Michael (Michelle) and Ryan Sterne, Rebecca and Daniel Siemers, and Zachary and Seth Shapiro, and extended family and close friends.


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Richard Kosmacher below and we will share them with the family.
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I had the pleasure of getting to know Richard when my sister worked with him at I-GO Car Sharing. He was always a pleasant person and often had a big smile on his face. Sending nothing but love to his family and friends.

Meagen Hugel
June 1, 2025
Had the pleasure of being a coworker, and more importantly, a friend of Richard’s. Always had a wonderful time on work trips with him , especially conferences and workshops in Chicago. He loved showing off Chicago and many times it was hard for me, even 20 years younger than him, to keep up walking around due to his enthusiasm. I always appreciated his stories of immense love and devotion to his family. We even took a 7-block detour so he could show me the boys’ highschool once. What a wonderful person! So very thankful and blessed to have had him in my life. Forever grateful for his friendship.

Mike Pletsch
June 1, 2025
I'm so very sorry. Even though I worked with Richard for a brief time, I always enjoyed his company and his sense of humor. He will be greatly missed. Alav hashalom.

Bob Stockfish
June 2, 2025
Richard was always smiling. We would bump into each other in the neighborhood or on the train. Every time we spoke, he was excited to talk about the things he loved – his family, the environment, Chicago. His enthusiasm for life was infectious. He will be missed.

James Moore
June 2, 2025
I am deeply saddened to learn about Richard passing away. Out of college, he was my very first boss at the Joy of Ireland. He was a wonderful man to work for, always patient and kind… and always fun! He was passionate about his store and it came to be a gathering place for many locals in the neighborhood. It felt more like a gathering place than a retail shop, but that was all because of Richard. He had a knack for getting to know people & inviting them in. Always warm , always inviting, and always so interested in others. I remember him and that time in my life with great fondness. May he rest in peace. My deepest condolences.

Kate Sheikhi (Whiting)
June 2, 2025
I am so sorry, I have the best memories as honorary tios of Hannah Miller.
My thoughts are with you and family..

Miriam Herrera
June 2, 2025
I am so sorry to hear of Richie’s passing. Always kind. Always smiling. With deep wishes for peace for his family.

Caryl Hull Leavitt (Hubsher)
June 2, 2025
We are so heart broken at this tragic and unexpected loss of our dear friend, who was like family. Reading this about Richard is hard, as he still had so much more of his beautiful life to live. His light, love & spirit will surely live on through Gabe, Evan and Melissa! He was a special person for sure ~ he touched so many hearts with his smile, his laugh, his kind and authentic heart. If you met Richard, you knew his sincerity instantly, if you knew Richard, you knew he listened, cared and loved you! We will miss him deeply. With love and our deepest sympathies, Paul, Pam, Hannah, Ben and Elizabeth

Pam Miller
June 2, 2025
Richard
Saved my life back in 1994. He was my mentor for many years at The Employment Project in Chicago. He help me so much back then. He encouraged me to change my life. I never got change to say thank you. Today I am working with Federal government,obtained MBA and I own my own home now. He mentor me just like he mentor his sons. I just recently got in contact with him through face book now he's is gone to heaven. I wrote a article that I dedicated to Richard back in 1994. I would love for family to read. I will never forget Richard and the Employment Project he was a
true angel!!!!! If u like a copy I gladly sent it to
You can read how inspired me to change. I am praying for the family! What a great a guy!

Anthony Fletcher
June 2, 2025
Richard
Saved my life back in 1994. He was my mentor for many years at The Employment Project in Chicago. He help me so much back then. He encouraged me to change my life. I never got change to say thank you. Today I am working with Federal government,obtained MBA and I own my own home now. He mentor me just like he mentor his sons. I just recently got in contact with him through face book now he's is gone to heaven. I wrote a article that I dedicated to Richard back in 1994. I would love for family to read. I will never forget Richard and the Employment Project he was a
true angel!!!!! If u like a copy I gladly sent it to
You can read how inspired me to change. I am praying for the family! What a great a guy!

Anthony Fletcher
June 2, 2025
I only met Richard a couple of times, only knowing him through his wonderful partner Melissa. I can say from the brief time spent in his company that Richard radiated a warmth, kindness and camaraderie never to be forgotten. What a lovely human being! Sending big hugs and love to Melissa, and deepest condolences to all his family and friends.

Naomi Walker
June 2, 2025
Richard was the first employee I hired at IGO. When he came in for an interview, he didn’t have any specific experience related to the job but he immediately won me over …. He had such enthusiasm, personality, and drive and it was clear he was smart and capable. He really wanted to do something worthy to make a difference in the world. He told me that was very important to Melissa and to him and he also told me that meeting Melissa was absolutely the best thing that had happened in his life.

He was an amazing employee. Over the many years we worked together, we dealt with an extraordinary group of people – some extremely difficult, some amazingly wonderful, and some in truly desperate situations. Richard was exceptional with all. He harnessed his frustrations into perseverance and used his smarts and creativity to help solve seemingly impossible tasks that I presented to him or that arose in the course of building the business. And he rallied the staff and encouraged everyone.

He became the king of parking spaces – finding more and more IGO parking as we grew to neighborhoods across the City and had a special knack for convincing reluctant parking operators to work with us. He had a fantastic memory for people and places. And we had a lot of fun too and his enthusiasm was a model for other staff. He loved the member parties and the community we built.

While it broke our hearts to have to sell IGO, Richard was incredibly diligent as we prepared for the sale and invaluable in the process. And I was grateful that he stayed on with Enterprise to help the staff and members weather the changes.

Richard never lost his spirit for helping members and really embraced all the social work aspects of the job although marketing and sales were also his strength.
And when he got started working with Creighton on supporting carsharing in California and other places, he called me up excitedly telling me that it was just like the early days of IGO when we got calls in the middle of the night and did all aspects of the job. He relished the challenge of building another network to provide mobility for marginalized communities. He had such spirit and goodness…

And he was so proud of the work that Melissa did over the years. He always talked about what Melissa was working on and always spoke fondly and proudly about Gabe and Evan. While I don’t really know Gabe and Evan well, I can tell how they carry Richard's spirit and know that all of you will carry it forward. His spirit continuing in all of you is truly a blessing.

It is so sad and unfair that this tragedy has occurred. It does remind me how fully Richard lived and that attempting to emulate that while perhaps impossible, is a good way to try to honor him. I remember how important family, Anshe Emet and his faith and community were to him which I hope will help sustain the family during the coming days.

Please accept my deepest condolences and my heartfelt gratitude for how Richard touched my life and helped so many. He will be missed.

Sharon Feigon
June 2, 2025
Although I never met Richard, Karen spoke of him very often. I know how much she loved her brothers, and was always so happy to spend time with them. My heart goes out to all of you- I know how much he will be missed. May his memory be a blessing!

Erna Taylor
June 2, 2025
I am so saddened to hear this. Sending sincerest condolences to the Kosmacher families.

Jill Baron
June 2, 2025
When I think of Richard, I picture a caring, curious friend full of many passions ( his family, cycling, Ireland) who is always ready to listen. I think of Richard and his kind, bright smile and my heart goes out to his beautiful family. I send you love.

Anna Rooney
June 2, 2025
I never had the pleasure/honor of meeting Richard, but after reading about his meaningful and balanced life, I sure wish I did know him. Marci and I send our sincerest condolences to Karen and family and all the Kosmachers – glad they kept the name! It sounds like the name of people with good souls. And, as for being Richie Allen, Richard must have been a heck of a slugger! May he continue to live throught the righteous deeds of his family and all those lives he touched. L'shalom.

Steven Hochman
June 2, 2025
So many stories.
I met Richard when I was 15 looking for a job in Dallas.
Joy of Ireland became my home on and off for 10 years.
When he met Melissa, I knew he met his match.
I'm heartbroken for the world to lose such an incredible human. He was a lantern to so many.
I'm grateful to have had decades of friendship.
Deepest love to Melissa, Gabe and Evan.

"Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself." -Miles Davis

Richard was always himself. His heart was jazz.

Sarah Boardman
June 2, 2025
Had the pleasure of working with Richard as an outside consultant. He was a kind man that always thought of his co-workers well being and making sure that decisions made were in their best interest. It was always a bright spot in my day when he called. He often spoke of his son's and what was going on in their lives.

Gregory Eck
June 2, 2025
My sincere condolences to all.

Ed Bell
June 3, 2025
Dear Melissa: There are no words adequate enough to express my sorrow for your great loss of Richard. After reading his beautiful obituary, I wish I had the opportunity to know him personally. Such an amazing, dynamic man. His passing leaves a great void in the whole world. Warmly, Pat

Patricia Lofthouse
June 3, 2025
Richard made me smile every time we spoke. He was wise and silly all at once—a rare and beautiful combination. I will miss him deeply. My heartfelt condolences to his family.

Michael Galligano
June 3, 2025
Richard was instantly loved by all who met him.
We first met Richard as Seth and Michele’s neighbor.
He was warm in nature, always smiled and very helpful. We loved spending time with the family and certainly felt close ties to both of them.
Life has its ups and downs, and this is a true tragedy.
May he watch over Melissa and the boys, and May he rest in peace. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the whole family!
Astrid & Elly

Astrid&Elly Meisler
June 3, 2025
Richard was an incredibly energetic, passionate, and caring person. I consider myself fortunate to have worked alongside him in the carsharing space. Every time I spoke with Richard his enthusiasm was palpable and he was always happy to give advice or guidance. I recall attending a conference with Richard in Chicago several years ago and his specific instructions on how to get to the L, which train car to be on, and so forth. He just wanted to be sure I got where I needed to be, a spirit he carried throughout his life and work. His presence will be sorely missed but I know many of us will carry on with so many positive memories of him. My heartfelt condolences to his family.

Mitch LaRosa
June 3, 2025
First time we meet Richard was in University of IL in Urbana. We were there for Dad’s weekend. I can tell right away that he is such a friendly and nice person. He is somebody that can talk to anybody with sincerity and enthusiasm . Me and my husband always enjoy his company. In fact we are looking forward to hang out with him and Melissa this summer. We are so sad that he is not with us anymore. We will miss his smile, his laugh and his stories!

Richard, thank you so much for your friendship! Although we know each other for only 3 years, you have a special place on our hearts! Thank you for being nice to Faith! Rest in peace now! God bless!

Stella Losbanes
June 3, 2025
This beautiful tribute. Richard's was a live well lived. It leaves me wanting to talk to Richard more about his life growing up on Long Island and his extreme road trips on his bike. Richard and I shared interests in so many things--transportation, parenting, politics, and the planet. We spent hours working side by side in his and Melissa's front yard garden beds and even more time working in a big garden I maintain in Wilmette.He appreciated learning about perennial plants from me and I don't know what I would have done with out his mulch hauling and rapid fire planting, transplanting, and weeding skills. We had plans to make gardening an even bigger sidegig this summer. I loved him very much and will never forget him.

Marya Morris
June 4, 2025
A kind, compassionate, and caring man. A mensch in the truest sense. Richard will be missed by all those who knew him. In fact the world will miss having a good soul like Richard in its midst.
To Melissa, Gabe and Evan, and Richard's entire family, I'm so sorry for your sudden loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find some solace during these difficult days, weeks, and months with your loved ones, family, friends, and community.
With great sympathy, Tod

Tod Lending
June 4, 2025
My Deepest sympathy
To You Melissa,Gabriel,Evan,&Family's
Thinking of you in this time .
My Hearts goes out to You all
In Thoughts and Prayers.
Wishing you comfort during this Terribly Sadness
Marie mc Donagh
&Family
Chicago &Galway city
Ireland

Marie McDonagh
June 4, 2025
Typing this message saddens me. I met Richard when he interviewed to be a SAFE (Street Are For Everybody) Ambassador for the Chicago Department of Transportation. I remember after his interview, we were all like he is a really nice guy and he would be an asset to the team. Richard was always upbeat and had a passion for the work that he did. During Richard's onboarding, I remember sitting across from him and saying "Richard, I really like your can-do attitude!" He was just so upbeat and caring. He was a great addition to the team. He left such an impact on all of us. He was such a great guy. I feel blessed to have met him and to have been able to provide him an opportunity to continue to do what he loved. The world was a better/safer place with Richard. He will truly be missed by me and the entire SAFE team. My condolences to the entire Kosmacher family. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us. I for one appreciate the lessons that I learned from him in my short time knowing him.

Shameka Turner
June 4, 2025
I have never met a person with a more warm and welcoming heart than Richard Kosmacher. I've known him since our boys of similar age went to school together at Drummond Montessori. Drummond Montessori became a special community within the CPS system because of the beautiful souls like Richard who not only dropped their kids at school everyday but built a family of loved ones within that community. Richard was so open and loving in a natural way that it was disarming to meet him... until you let who he was in and then he became that catalyst for positivity and movement and change. We had so many laughs and so many serious conversations and I remember them fondly. Our hearts are broken. We will move ahead but there will be a huge missing part of our community which will have to be filled by his memory. We love you Richard and Melissa and Gabe and Evan.

Brian Warling
June 4, 2025
My sincerest condolences to everyone in the Kosmacher family.
Richard left us much to early and will be missed by all who knew him.

Ronald Marx
June 5, 2025