Richard Pierce Thorsen, 68, beloved family-member, mentor, and businessman, passed away surrounded by his loving family and friends on Thursday, August 1, 2013. Loving and proud father of Christie (Josh) Kosmach and Michael Pierce Thorsen, excited grandfather to be, dear brother of Robert Thorsen and Frances “Dolly” Schmitz. Soul mate and loving companion of Carmen Wilcox. He was born to Frances Pierce Thorsen and Robert A. Thorsen on May 12, 1945 and was a lifelong resident of Winnetka, Illinois.

Rich enrolled in undergraduate education at Northwestern University, where he graduated in 1967 with a B.S. in Business Administration. During his undergraduate education he served as President of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity (“FIJI”) and remained a stalwart supporter of his chapter for over 40 years. In 1971, he earned his doctoral degree in law from Northwestern University and became a member of the Chicago, Illinois and American Bar Associations.

Rich had a long and distinguished career in banking throughout the Chicagoland area. An ardent supporter of growth and investment in local communities and businesses, he founded Ravenswood Bank in 1996 to serve the unmet demands of the Ravenswood and Lincoln Square communities in Chicago. His kindness, candor, and good humor forged an indelible impression on those he interacted with over the course of his career, and he served as a role-model and mentor to many individuals. In a 1997 article for the Chicago Tribune, he remarked “the fun is in creating something after perceiving a need and helping it grow.”

Throughout his life, Rich espoused an unconditional compassion towards others and exhibited a true zest for creating fun and lasting memories. An avid skier, his prowess on the ski slopes spanned six decades, from setting the downhill course record at Arapahoe Basin as a youth, to traversing expert-only terrain well into his 60s. Equally as important was his passion for playing the trumpet and his profound devotion to music. A jazz enthusiast, Richard performed with the Old Man’s Jazz Band for over three decades, served on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the DePaul University School of Music, and was an annual fixture with the North End Bunco, Parchesi, and Weight Dropping Auxiliary Band in the city of Evanston’s 4th of July Parade. He cherished the many rounds of golf, tennis matches, and friendly card-games he engaged in both at Westmoreland Country Club and during his travels with family. His engaging personality and skill at unleashing subtle humor at the most opportune time brought joy and laughter to many lives.

Family and friends will miss Richard’s intellect, business acumen, exuberance for life, and personal mantra to “have fun.” Sadness will soon be overshadowed by fond memories as we remember the innumerous ways in which Rich enriched our lives.