Richard "Rick" Eugene Bodda

Richard "Rick" Eugene Bodda, 72, of DeKalb, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024, from natural causes.

Rick was born in DeKalb on September 3, 1951, to Norman E. Bodda and Ruth M. (Heal) Bodda. A 1969 graduate of Dekalb High School, he then attended Northern Illinois University on a full golf scholarship, earning a Bachelor of Education degree in 1973.

Rick married Paulette (Wheeler) Pinkston in 1972, and they became parents to two daughters, Michele Bodda and Jennifer (Bodda) Ingham.

Rick joined the DeKalb Police Department in 1974, where he proudly wore badge number 13 and served the city for 28-years, until his retirement in 2002.

Rick is preceded in death by his father, Norman Bodda and survived by his cherished mother, Ruth Bodda (DeKalb), sister Terri (Randy) Clifton (East Windsor, CT), brother Dave (Kim) Bodda (Durand, IL), second wife and friend Carol Luxton (Cropwell, AL), daughters Michele Bodda (Irvine, CA) and Jennifer (David) Ingham (Oxford, England) as well as 5 beloved grandchildren: Maxwell Ingham, Darian Ingham, Addison Pearson, Brady Pearson and Dexter Ingham.

Rick valued time with his grandchildren, always having York Peppermints, Jolly Ranchers and Honey Nut Cheerios "Papa's Cheerios" on hand to enjoy while watching tv in "Papa's Chair", playing mini golf or letting them "drive" the riding lawnmower in his lap.   He enjoyed golfing, fishing, crossword puzzles, tossing bags, hunting, and playing cards.

He appreciated the comradery and fellowship with his DHS basketball teammates on their annual golf trip known as "The BRO."  Rick volunteered each year at the annual Dekalb Police Department PB&PA Pancake Breakfast and assisted in building solid oak bookcases for children, a program started several years ago by former DeKalb Mayor, John Rey.

He eagerly awaited the snow melting each spring so the regular golf scramble in DeKalb could resume and he could get back out on the course. He also enjoyed a life-long quest to see how fast he could get his grass to grow so he could mow it again.

A celebration of life Open House will be held on Friday, May 24, 2024, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at River Heights Golf Course in DeKalb. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Rick's name to the DeKalb Policemen's Benevolent and Protective Association Officer Memorial Fund.

Rick's daughters would love it if all the local golfers would pause for a moment on Hole 8 at Buena Vista, the location of one of Rick's favorite hole-in-one shots, and remember their friend.

Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.