Obituary of Richard Francis Streitz, DDS

Richard Francis Streitz, DDS Dr. Richard Francis "Dick" Streitz. age 95, passed away peacefully on Tuesday March 21, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving and caring family. Born on November 25, 1921, in Joliet, IL to Richard and Cecelia (Ryan) Streitz, Dick was the eldest of three children. He was preceded in death by his parents and teenage sister, Delores. In 1953, Dick married his wife, Jean Kavanaugh and their family began to grow. Surviving, along with Jean, are their children, Richard (Mary) Streitz, Nanette (Philip) Coon, Colleen (Martin) Buehler, Dr. Mark (Ann) Streitz; grandchildren, Weston Streitz, Chapin (Stephen) Konsler, Sarah (Nathan) Byram, Katherine Coon, and fiance' Michael Bohling, Morgan (Adam) Zanotti, Martin Buehler Jr., Callie and Ryan Streitz; great-grandchildren, McKenna, Main and Reilly Byram, and Dick's forever chairside canine companion, Piper. Dick is also survived by his brother, Dr. Thomas (Susan) Streitz and many nieces and nephews. Dick graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1940. He attended Grinnell College in Iowa on a football scholarship for a year and a half before entering the Navy. We know that if Dick were here today that he would want to "Move the ball over and keep scrimmaging." He was stationed in Spokane, Washington and also served on the USS Repose helping with dental care. He toured the Pacific Theatre during WWII. Following his service in the Navy, Dick graduated from Loyola Dental School. Following graduation, Dr. Richard attended the Forsyth Clinic in Boston. He was involved in the original growth studies and specialized in pediatric dentistry before it was a specialty. He then began the Pediatric Department at Loyola University. He treated many children in the greater Joliet area while maintaining his private practice, Richard F. Streitz, LTD. on Jefferson Street, where he performed dentistry for over fifty years. Dick's community service was immense. He volunteered at Will Grundy Medical Clinic on his day off performing many extractions. He was also a Joliet Chamber of Commerce member. Dick was one of the founding fathers of Joliet Area Community Hospice and St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and School where he remained a devoted member. Time away from the office was spent with his family enjoying different parts of the country--Innisbrook, FL, the Northwoods of Wisconsin, and skiing in the mountains "Out West". Friends and family always looked forward to vacation time spent with Dick and Jean. Dick will long be remembered for his professional integrity; his humor; his athleticism on the tennis court, ski hill, and golf course; his gift of friendship with so many; his devotion to family; and for his role as "Papa". The family would like to extend deep appreciation for Lina' s devoted and compassionate care and for the support and dignity provided by Joliet Area Community Hospice. Funeral services for Dr. Richard Streitz will be Monday April 3, 2017 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 18 N. Woodlawn Avenue, Joliet, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will occur at a later date. A memorial visitation will take place Sunday April 2, 2017 from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.) Joliet. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dick's name may be made to Joliet Area Community Hospice or St. Paul the Apostle Church and School. For further information (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames