Richard F. Wajda
Richard F. Wajda, 62, of Hickory Hills, passed away November 13, 2024, surrounded in death, as in life, by those who loved him.Rich was born in Chicago, the proud son of a Polish butcher, and spent his childhood first in Back of the Yards and then in Hickory Hills. He graduated from Amos Alonzo Stagg High School and then attended the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he received a BS in Computer Science.
Rich worked as an engineer in the Telecommunications field for many years, including on PBX systems at GTE Automatic Electric, digital crossconnect systems at Tellabs, and on porting the Android operating system onto Motorola’s first Android cell phone.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul G. Wajda and Bernice E. Wajda, nee Kurdziel, and two brothers, Paul Wajda (Susan Johnson) and Thomas Wajda (Lisa Schatz Almond). He is survived by a brother, James Wajda (Sandra Rossberg), as well as several nieces and nephews, including a host of nieces and nephews by heart. Rich was well read and had many interests, a brilliant mind, and a big, beautiful heart.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In the meantime, donations to the Morton Aboretum in his honor would be greatly appreciated at https://mortonarb.org/join-support/make-a-gift/tribute-gifts/.
Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside at 708-352-6500.
Rich was a kindhearted, thoughtful person. I’m grateful to have met him over the years at my sister’s house. Rich was always there for the birthday parties of his two ” nieces” . He so loved have a special place in their hearts. My condolences to his family and many friends. May Rich rest in peace.
I miss your laugh and the talks we had. You were so full of wonder and joy.
Rich was an old, good soul! We grew apart in the last few years, but I always appreciated his insights and if he believed it or not, he always swayed my political beliefs! I’ll miss him!
Uncle Rich, as I knew him, was a very positive person. He was always good to us and knew how to make us laugh. He will be dearly missed
Rich, can’t begin to put into words how much you’ll be missed. You have been an incredible friend to Kurt and I since we all met back-in-the-day at IIT (and even earlier for Kurt & Dave). So many work memories, starting with back when we were practically chiseling into stone at GTE, and then on to Tellabs where Cheryl Ann(and later, Maya) was brought into the friend fold. We are all truly Family by Choice. What would Cheryl, Maya and I (and Andrea, and undoubtedly a host of other people…) have done without our beloved Uncle Rich always at the ready to help us out when we needed you? Our children all knew your love and devotion over the years at everything from baptisms, to birthdays, to graduations, recitals, and on and on… The world lost one of the good guys way too soon…
Uncle Rich was a kind and positive man who made our lives better. He will be dearly missed.
Rich, I met you too late in life. I love your sense of humor and how we would disagree about so much but the respect was always there. I wish we could have gotten closer, but time and tide was not on our side. I will miss you and take some of your logic and joy with me to my final days.
I also want to thank the people who helped you out during your final months and days – Cheryl, Joan, Maya, Rosie and my best friend, Joanne. Thanks to you guys, he left us as safe and comfortable as he could. Bless you.