Funeral Details

Richard Mandel Lichtenstein, age 89, of Skokie, Illinois, passed away peacefully September 16, 2024, in Skokie, Illinois. Richard or “Rich” was born March 10, 1935 and raised in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. He was a proud Roosevelt High School graduate (Class of ‘53) and earned both a B.A. and J.D. from Northwestern University. His summer at the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, Massachusetts, sparked a lifelong love for improvisational jazz piano.

Rich’s heart overflowed with joy raising his three daughters. He also found immense happiness in nurturing his musical gift of jazz piano. Sharing his passion with the world was his true calling. He delighted in performing for a wide range of audiences, from community centers to classrooms. His relationship with the natural world around him reflected a deep spirituality. He reveled in simple pleasures like leaf collecting, long walks and celebrating the wonders of nature, from new zoo babies to the beauty of the cosmos. His service to others was paramount and recognized through various awards and accolades. For Rich, every action was rooted in love and respect. In all facets of his life, he embodied joy, kindness and an unwavering commitment to sharing his gifts with others, including four years of “Jazz on Arcadia with Rich,” weekly curated jazz concerts online, easing us through covid confinement and beyond.

Rich lives on through his daughters Nina Joy Lichtenstein (David Washington), Amanda Leigh Lichtenstein and Hillary Aryn Lichtenstein, and as loving Zaide to his grandchildren Manuel Nacham, Gabriel Jubilee and Scheherazade Eva Washington, along with extended family. Predeceased by his wife, Pamela Gene Lichtenstein; his parents Manuel E. Lichtenstein, M.D., and Isabelle Garland Lichtenstein; his brothers Bill and Bob Lichtenstein. Loving daddy to six pet dogs: Toy, Bessie Dora, Angelina, Xanthe Reese, Paige Xia and Alexander Page. Services: Thursday, September 19, 2024, 2 PM, at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd. (at Niles Center Road), Skokie, Illinois. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rich’s name to WDCB 90.9 FM, www.wdcb.org Chicago’s home for jazz radio. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals — Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com.