Richard P. Engelhart

Richard Peter Engelhart, 80, of Harvard died on December 22, 2020, in Rockford, IL. He was born on April 1, 1940, in Watertown, WI to Ray and Vera (Langer) Engelhart.

After graduating from High School, he served in the Army from 1958-1961. Richard moved to Elgin, IL in 1961. He worked at Haeger Pottery, Argus Camera and Sherman Hospital. He enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and Las Vegas. Richard never married.

In 2006 he moved to Harvard, IL where his nephew Ron and wife Jeri Finke lived. He always wished he had moved here sooner. Special thanks to Bill and Kathy Schack who helped make that happen.

Richard kept busy, whether that be planting flowers, playing bingo at Sunset Manor, helping fellow residence, or volunteering at the food pantry. He never missed a chance to introduce himself while walking to the bank, library, and post office or even while he waited for the bus at Wal-Mart. He was always eager to spend any special occasion or holiday with his nieces and nephews. He would show up with his homemade pies and rumballs in hand.

Uncle Dick’s gift of exuberating life was well received in Harvard. Although he did not have great means, he lived as if he had it all.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Robert Engelhart, Betty and Wilbert Finke, Charlie Engelhart, David Engelhart, Phylis Engelhart, Francis (Butch) Engelhart.

 He is survived by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law Lorraine Engelhart.

Services will be at a later date.

Family and friends may sign the online guest book at www.saundersmcfarlin.net.

For more information call Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home at 815-943-5400.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard P. Engelhart, please visit our floral store.