Dick Peach accepts the Community Leader of the Year award from the Evanston Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s 2020 annual meeting in January
KK: So there was a time you didn’t live in Evanston, outside of your time in the Air KK:Force? So there was a time you didn’t live in Evanston, outside of your time in the Air Force? DP: When I came back from the Air Force I lived for a few months in the San Francisco bay area in Sausalito. When Rand McNally asked me to go into sales in 1975, I moved with Shelley and [step-son] Sean to Maryland. We were there for a little more than 3 years when we moved back to Evanston in 1979. We have been living on Greenleaf St. since then. KK: So there was a time you didn’t live in Evanston, outside of your time in the Air Force? DP: After I got out of the service I started helping a friend with his race car, working evenings and racing on weekends. Shelley came along to run timing and scoring for us. We were really low budget racing and we met others who were all weekend warriors racing Datsun 510 sedans. When we raced at the bigger tracks like Road America or Mid-Ohio we’d run into Paul Newman, figuratively and literally. We would sit around after a day of trading paint over a few beers. This was when we were not at open race days. When the public was allowed in, Mr. Newman never left his trailer, except to drive. At Road Atlanta for the National Championships all the crew trailers and motor homes were parked next to one another. For four or five years our crew would sneak over to Newman’s motor home and steal his Weber grill, and each year the challenge got more involved with chains, welded in brackets, steel bars. We always managed to steal it and they always knew where to find it. Good times. Shelley and I still see the racing gang once a year at their annual Christmas party. Two years years ago ago Dick Dick and and Shelley Shelley lost lost their theirson son25-year-old 25-year-old son sonKyle Kyletotocancer. cancer. Two KK: Is there anything you’d like your neighbors to know about Kyle? DP: Kyle was more complex that most people would have known about. He made friends all over the world through his video gaming, and from the notes and letters we have received touched my people in profound ways that Shelley and I were totally unaware of. He was also the best fishing partner I have ever fished with, capable beyond his young years with his knowledge of not just how to fish, but also the impact on the entire eco-system he fished. KK: Is there anything you can think of that would surprise folks about you?
CIVIC LIFE DO NOT R BY MANY ONE OF THE
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developed. We are all still friends today and get together once a year to make sure we stay in touch. They are the brothers I never had. Dick hasn’t always worked Dempster Auto Rebuilders. He’s only been there the last 34 years. While studying at the School of the Art Institute, Dick worked at Rand McNally making printing plates for the 4-color presses. After his stint in the Air Force he worked there for 13 more years as a data supervisor running the corporate computer complex, and worked later in sales. KK: Let’s Let’s get get personal. personal. How How did did you you meet meet your your KK: wife Shelley? When did you know she was the one? DP: I met Shelley at Rand McNally, I was her supervisor. We went out a few times and we both knew that we were always going to be together. When I was being transferred to the East Coast I asked her come with me and she did, we’ve been together ever since.
DP: They might be surprised to know how much I love to spend time in the kitchen cooking. I probably do 90% of the cooking in our household, and it is how Shelley has said I won her over when on one of our early dates I made a fabulous dinner with Filet Mignon, braised asparagus spears, and twice baked potatoes for her. I really enjoy trying new dishes from almost any cuisine, and there’s nothing better than fresh made pasta. I love making that. In mid-2020 DickDick and Shelley set to change their full-time residence mid-2020 and are Shelley are set to change theirto northeast full-time Minnesota, near Lake Vermilon. somewhere near Lake Vermilon. residence somewhere to northeast Minnesota, KK: What draws you to Minnesota? KK: What draws you to Minnesota? DP: Its pristine lakes, rivers and forests. Some of the best fishing anywhere. We like the cooler climate, snow and cold doesn’t bother us. The people there are amazingly friendly and outgoing they are not paranoid about everyone and everything. We’re also looking forward to living in small town environment where people don’t have to lock their doors or cars/trucks and really do take care of their neighbors. Friends of Dick, fear not. fear Dick promises that he promises and Shelley will Evanston for of Dick, not. Dick thatbe back he inand Shelley at leastbeoneback monthin out Evanston of the year. for at least one month out of the year. will “He will be impossible to replace and our residents will miss his friendly, empathetic, straight talkwill frombe thisimpossible amazing community leader,” says Evanston Mayor Stevewill Hagerty. “He to replace and our residents
miss his friendly, empathetic, straight talk from this amazing community leader,” says Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty.
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