Richard "Dick" Laurence Childs

Richard L. (“Dick”) Childs, born in New York, New York on August 14, 1941 peacefully passed away at home on July 30, 2026 in Naples, Florida after 84 years well-lived. Dick grew up in Astoria and Flushing, Queens, big brother and hero to sisters Susan and Carol, where he enjoyed scouting activities and earning badges to achieve the status of an Eagle Scout.

After graduating from Adelphi University, he served in The Army National Guard. Dick spent nearly four decades working as a buyer for Sears Roebuck & Company, where he made many great lifelong friends. At Sears he met his beautiful bride, Christina, who he married 57 years ago in 1969. Dick and Criss were true partners in life who loved each other deeply and laughed together everyday. They had three children in New York and later moved the family to Naperville, Illinois when Sears relocated its headquarters to Chicago in 1979.

His greatest source of pride and joy was his family. Thanksgiving was his most favorite holiday, a table full of his favorite foods and favorite people where he would always get choked up saying grace. In his spare time, Dick enjoyed puttering and tinkering on just about any DIY project, woodworking, and watching This Old House, Law & Order, The Sopranos, and Blue Bloods from his recliner. He also loved cooking shows and often experimented in his very own America’s Test Kitchen at home. Dick’s specialty was a vegetable soup he called “zuppa d’amore” — always finished with a gesture of sprinkled kisses to nourish the souls of those he loved.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Nathline, and sister Carol Blythe. He is survived by his amazing wife, Christina of Naples, Florida, sister Susan von Boetticher of Southampton, New York, daughter Melissa in New York, sons Andrew (Lisa) in Germany, Richard (Mandy) in Dallas, Texas, nephew Michael Blythe in New York, and his treasured grandchildren, AJ, Mack, Ella, Nathaniel, and Alexander. Loyal family dogs Rocky, Roxanne, Sparky, and Gracie no doubt greeted him with wagging tails upon his arrival in Heaven.

Dick Childs — a truly great man and mentor to so many; beloved son, brother, friend, father, uncle, and grandfather; now our guardian angel. Instead of any funeral services, a memorial celebration of his life will be held in the future.

In lieu of flowers, please hug your family members, tell them how much you love them, and you may make donations to the American Heart Association or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, as you wish.