Funeral Details

Richard D. Abelson

Memorial Contributions

Jewish United Fund
30 South Wells Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606
www.juf.org
or
COVID-19 Response Fund
1033 University Place, Suite 450
Evanston, Illinois 60201
https://foundation.northshore.org/covid19

Memorial Contributions

Jewish United Fund
30 South Wells Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606
www.juf.org
or
COVID-19 Response Fund
1033 University Place, Suite 450
Evanston, Illinois 60201
foundation.northshore.org/covid19




OBITUARY

Richard Dodge Abelson peacefully passed away Sunday, November 15, 2020 at the age of 95. He graduated from Purdue with an engineering degree, where he met his wife of 72 years, Donna (nee Greenberg). He went on to earn an MBA from University of Chicago and have an illustrious career, rising to CEO of Maremont Corporation, a Fortune 500 company. He later held executive positions at Paxall Inc. and Sealy Corporation. Richard was born in Chicago on May 5, 1925 to the late Anne Wolfson Abelson and Albert A. Abelson. He is survived by his wife Donna, daughter Debra (Michael Brohman) and son Dennis (Barbara). Richard was a devoted grandfather to Carly Novak (John), Hillary Teven (Brian), Stephanie Brohman and Josh Brohman, and loving great-grandfather to Will and Reese Novak and Oliver and Reid Teven. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Richard’s honor to JUF Jewish United Fund, 30 South Wells Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606, www.juf.org or COVID-19 Response Fund, 1033 University Place, Suite 450 Evanston, Illinois 60201, foundation.northshore.org/covid19. To attend the funeral live stream, please visit our website on Wednesday at 11AM.Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

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Abelson Family, I want to express my sincerest condolences for your loss. I know that there are many wonderful memories of Richard and I know these are a blessing. Richard was a special to me both professionally and personally. He always had a great story, joke or was able to brighten my day and put a smile on my face. Donna and Richard were among the first to help me celebrate my engagement to my husband more than 30 years ago. They supported me and helped me to grow professionally through all the transitions in my career and were there for all the important and special moments of my life. Richard liked to say he and Donna were my surrogate parents when my folks wintered in Florida and in many ways they were! He made me feel that I was a trusted member of the family. The great love affair and years of happy marriage Richard and Donna shared is an example of a fairy tail come true and one I aspire to. I will miss Richard greatly and am honored and humbled by the many years he trusted me. I feel the loss and will greatly miss his stories, friendship and wisdom but I am quite fortunate to have so many wonderful memories of a very special man.

Marci Arnheim Levine
November 17, 2020
We are so very sorry for your loss - what an incredible life and legacy. And being married for 72 years is just the most incredible thing! We are here with you and love you all - may his memory be for a blessing always. Love, Mandee, Jonny, Nathan, Emmett and Isaac

Mandee Polonsky
November 18, 2020
My Condolences to the Abelson family on the passing of Mr Abelson. He was always a pleasure to serve.

Carol Dixon
November 19, 2020