Richard Brian "Rick" Young

Age 62 and the beloved husband of Kristin Jane (nee Price) Young died at The PARC Nursing Home of Joliet on Thursday August 4, 2022.

Richard Brian was born to June (nee Hershey) Young and Russell Young on September 19, 1959 at St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet, Illinois. He was a lifelong resident of Lockport, Illinois

Rick shined light on all who knew him. He practiced Jesus’ words, “blessed are the peacemakers,” and never quit on people. He never let anger or resentment color a relationship. Those who met Rick were struck by his kindness and gentleness, and ultimately always walked away feeling better than before. When loved ones were hurting or confused, Rick’s wisdom and kind words were sought after, and he was the type you could sit with and talk for hours, whether the subject matter was serious and thoughtful or silly and lighthearted. 

Rick himself once said, “The woods love me, and I love them back.”  He spent many precious days with his dearest friends hunting, fishing, trapping, canoeing or recreational shooting, and was a skilled taxidermist. He enjoyed trips to the Boundary Waters, Pelican Lake, Gull Lake, but most of all he treasured his days hunting at the farm of his lifelong friend Ray Reardon.

A deeply passionate musician, Rick was a technically skilled guitarist with a natural sense of creativity. He played in numerous local bands including Passin Thru, Altamira, Seraphim, Wizzle Stick, Youngsters on TV, Krunchers, and In the Pocket.  He sought to take the listener on a “journey” and “tell a story” through music.  Considering himself a lifelong student of the guitar, Rick studied new playing styles, and challenged himself in new genres until he could physically no longer play, but thankfully today, many of his original compositions are still available.  He believed “there is no such thing as a wrong note,” and considered every unconventional note to be a segue into a new chapter in his book of music.  Rick shared his love for the instrument with hundreds of beloved students over 30 years teaching at Lockport Music (Allegro Music & Dance Academy) later many of his students still remember and thank him for the love of music he taught them.  His love for his students could not be overshadowed by his dementia, though by 2019 it largely taken his ability to speak coherently.  During that year, he visited an old student, Steev Custer, owner of Fine Tunes Center of the Arts in Channahon.  Steev told him he had opened this business thanks to all the years of lessons with Rick.  Miraculously, Rick had a moment of clarity, understanding everything Steev was telling him, and Rick spoke as clearly and lovingly as he always had, “I’m very proud of you.”

One of Rick’s last memories was about 30 of his friends coming together to buy him the guitar of his dreams, a Martin Acoustic.

Many Lockport residents remember Rick coming to their homes to tune their pianos and when called upon he could repair any instrument you brought to him.  Many considered him the only guitar tech they would ever bring their instrument to.

A lifelong Cubs fan, he was thrilled to be able to watch the Cubs win the World Series with his lifelong friend Jim Alleman.

Every hobby Rick enjoyed, he enjoyed to full extent.  He became a master chess player and collected beautiful chess sets.  He could get lost in a good book and especially Sherlock Holmes Mysteries, Lord of The Rings Series, Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction, and Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry and short stories. He took pleasure in watching old time horror films like Dracula and Frankenstein, he also delighted in the crazy antics of The Three Stooges, no matter how often he watched Mo, Larry and Curly you could hear his laughter throughout the house. 

Survivors include his loving wife Kristin; one son Nicholas; sister Janet (James) Koger of Lockport; brothers Raymond (Susanne) Young of Wilmington and Robert Young of Oklahoma, nieces: Amy (Michael) Visser and Ashley Koger; nephew, Raymond Young; grand niece and nephew Julia and David Visser all of Lockport; long time close friends Ray Reardon of Girard, IL, and Jim Alleman and Tim Veurink, both of Lockport.

Rick inspired loyalty and motivated us to be better than they we believed they could be. There are not enough words to write all the stories we remember about him, but just know WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU, RICK! 

The family will receive friends for a memorial visitation on Wednesday August 17, 2022 at Families of Faith Church, 24466 W. Eames St. in Channahon, IL from 4:00 p.m. until time of service, 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to any of the following: Families of Faith Church 24466 W Eames St. Channahon, IL 60420; Allegro Music and Dance Academy, 1014 S. Hamilton St in Lockport, Illinois or to Fine Tunes Center for the Arts 25311 W Eames St, Channahon, IL 60410.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Rick’s memorial page online through social media.

Cremation services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815-476-2181) www.BaskervilleFuneral.com