Richard J. “Dick” Kissel, President of the Board of Directors of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Senior Citizens Foundation and a 45-year resident of Lake Forest, died in his home on March 23, from cancer. He was 76.
Mr. Kissel was an incredible man who succeeded in business, life, and philanthropy. Under Mr. Kissel’s leadership, the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Senior Citizens Foundation expanded its community offerings, strengthened its financial position, and enjoyed increased participation by the area’s senior citizens.
Mr. Kissel was also a Director of the Board of the National Retirement Research Foundation. This followed a professional law career where he gained national prominence in establishing environmental law as a distinct and important practice area in the U.S. and across the globe.
Born in Chicago and raised on its West Side, Mr. Kissel’s hardworking parents believed their son’s education was the most important gift they could give him. After attending Western Military Academy in downstate Alton, Kissel earned his undergraduate degree at Northwestern University, where he was President of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and was the first of his family to attend college. During his senior year he was Chairman of the famed student talent show, Waa-Mu. Mr. Kissel earned his law degree at Northwestern University, as well, graduating in 1961.