Richard James Puchalski, age 70, passed away amidst his family while on vacation on August 4, 2016 in Anchorage, Alaska. Richard "Dick" was born in Mojave Desert, California in 1946 and was the eldest of five children of his beloved parents, Bernard and Estelle Puchalski.

For the past forty years Dick worked as a prominent pension, labor, employment and immigration attorney. He was a founding partner of several successful law practices with the most recent being Puchalski Goodloe Marzullo, LLP. Dick enjoyed cooking, gardening, playing the piano, the Premier League Tottenham Hotspur team, and Ron Rico rum (double tall, splash of Diet Coke, and one ice cube). He worked hard all his life to provide and care for his family. His strong work ethic and commitment to his wife, Cheri, of 41 years and family lives on in his children, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard Stanley and Estelle Mae (Grebe). He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Susan; his children, Cliff (Cindy) Puchalski and Laura (Jeff) Goodloe; his brothers, Dennis (Mary Ann) and Don (Ginny) Puchalski and sisters, Connie Puchalski and Bonnie Heraty. He also adored his grandson, Jimmy, whom he nicknamed "Youngblood" while anointing himself "Old School."

Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Illinois Public Pension Fund Association Remembrance & Survivors Fund (ippfa.org). Dick was instrumental in starting the Remembrance & Survivors Fund in 2003 to provide financial assistance to the families of Illinois police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.