Richard A. Utke

Richard A. Utke, 86, of Moline, IL, passed away, November 12, 2024, at Allure of Moline, East Moline, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., on Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Rock Island Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Hospice Compassus or the Quad City Animal Welfare Center, a no kill shelter in Milan, IL.

Richard was born on March 30, 1938, in Moline, IL, the son of Raymond A. and Evelyn (Engdahl) Utke. He attended Rock Island schools and DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago, IL. In his younger years, he owned and operated a cleaning products business. He served in the United States Army.

Richard enjoyed listening to classical music and loved watching older classic movies. He also liked listening to radio shows. Other interests were science and history. He enjoyed being with his family and photographing holidays and special events.

He was a life-long animal lover. Special pets were his cat, Tiger, and the smart and loyal dog of his youth, Trixie.

Survivors include his sister, Linda (Ron) Crouch; nephew Matthew (Anna) Crouch; niece Andrea (Brian) DeLille; nephew Brian (Deidre) Crouch; great nephews and nieces Haley (Brandon) Keleher, Jacob (Nadalee) Crouch, Sarah DeLille, Megan DeLille, Rylee Crouch, Gus Crouch, Gwyn Crouch, and Garrett Crouch; great-great nephew and niece Liam Keleher and Evelyn Crouch, and one on the way; and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Stephen D. Utke; infant half-brother Raymond E. Utke; special aunt Olga “Awda” Engdahl; and many uncles, aunts, and cousins.

The family wishes to thank Allure of Moline and Hospice Compassus for the care given to Richard during the past five years.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.