Southtown Star from Tinley Park, Illinois • 13

si c'''V -s SOUTHTOWNSTAR SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 I A13 news A LIFE STORY RICHARD TAYLOR Retired Homewood-Flossmoor counselor had calming presence BY DAVID SCHWAB, STAFF WRITER Mr. Thomas have traveled to Europe and elsewhere extensively, almost always with another couple, their close friends Barbara and Howard Gordon. The most beautiful thing (about Mr. Thomas), Barbara Howard said, was that toward the end of his life, he wanted to stay alive for (Marlene). She said Mr.

Thomas was sick and weak toward the end of his life. Nevertheless, he did make it to one of his grandsons baseball games just last week. Howard Gordon said Richard lived his life attempting to do what was right. If there was one criticism he could make about Mr. Thomas, it was his intense nature as a perfectionist.

He had an insistence on doing things right, Howard said. For example, when they were traveling together via car, hed pack and re-pack suitcases in the trunk several times, making sure they were in the proper order and perfectly assembled. He was an all-encompassing, caring person, Barbara said. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday at Tews Funeral Home, 18230 Dixie Highway, Homewood.

Funeral services will be at 10 am. Tuesday at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 18850 Riegel Road, Home-wood. David Schwab can be reached at dschwabsouthtownstarcom or (708) 802-8832. Sisters of Lisa Stebic, the Plainfield woman who has been missing since April 30, 2007, pray for her safe return during a prayer vigil marking the six-month anniversary since her disappearance.

The sisters are (from right) Jamie Bouma and Debbie Ruttenberg. Between them Is Boumas husband, John Bouma. RLE PHOTO 'Lisas Walk to mark one year since disappearance r- STILL HOPING Stebics mother ter, 13, family members said We are not going to waver in our pursuit of justice for Lisa, Lisa Stebic was last seen April 30, 2007. If youve been anywhere near Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Floss-moor for the past 40 years, you probably are familiar with Richard Taylor. If youre lucky.

A resident of Orland Park, the retired guidance counselor, swimming coach and friend to many people in the H-F community died Wednesday. He was 73. Hes touched so many lives, said his wife, Marlene, a retired teacher. He would help anybody, she said. As a guidance counselor, said Deborah Dennison, whose daughter Cathiyn was greatly affected by Mr.

Taylor when she was a student at H-F, he had the kind of grandfather touch that let his students know the things you need to stress about, and the things you dont She credited Mr. Taylors counseling with her daughters success today as an educator. He had a calming presence, Dennison said. That calming presence meant a lot to his students, his friends and family, especially given the amount of pressure, stress and negativity that face high school students daily. There are lots and lots of kids that have passed through the pool, or his office," Marlene said.

Hes touched many lives. She and Mr. Taylor met when they were students at Northern Illinois University. She said he was dating her roommate at the time. After taking so many of his phone calls when her roommate wasnt home, a spark developed, and they soon decided to date.

He was such a good listener, Marlene said, referring to how he acted both professionally and personally. Marlene and Mr. Thomas have three children, Wendy, Brad and Lynn, and several grandchildren. He was a wonderful father, Marlene said. Besides his dedication to his family and to H-F, Marlene noted that her husband was a die-hard Sox fan.

He was also a beach bum, she said. After they retired about a decade ago, they bought a townhouse on the beach in Michigan City, where theyve since split their time each year. In retirement, Marlene and makes first public statement Her family believes foul play was involved in her disappearance. BY DAN ROZEK SlIN TIMES NEWS GROl said Ruttenberg, a former Liber-tyville resident who now lives in Florida. We want to bring her home.

We will go to the ends of the Earth to find her. Plainfield police have labeled Lisas estranged husband, Craig, as a person of interest in her disappearance, which they believe occurred as a result of foul play. Craig Stebic hasnt been charged and has denied any involvement. Her relatives wont speak publicly about what they believe happened to Lisa, but they insist she wouldnt have abandoned her children. We know she would have never left her family, Ruttenberg said.

As a mother, Lisa made her children her first priority. She was always there to help and guide and encourage them. Craig Stebics lawyer, Dion Davi, suggested the march was a ruse aimed at pressuring police and also to help the Rutten-bergs as they seek court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren. A Will County judge on Friday threw an obstacle in their path, ruling that Lisas parents and grandparents must show that Craig Stebic is an unfit parent and that the children are being harmed by not having contact with their relatives. Davi also criticized Plainfield police, saying their investigation has focused solely on Craig Stebic rather than looking at other explanations for Lisa Stebics disappearance.

I believe the performance of their search for Lisa is questionable," Davi said. Plainfield police disputed that assessment, saying they havent focused exclusively on Craig Stebic. Were objective enough to look at any and all leads that come in. The case has not led us to any other person, Detective Sgt TVoy Kivisto said. While Craig Stebics sister recently criticized Lisas family for targeting their fundraising efforts toward an agency that helps victims of domestic violence and child abuse even though there are no allegations that she or the children were abused Davi didnt quarrel with that selection.

A spokeswoman said the Ruttenberg family chose the Guardian Angel center because it does a lot for children something Lisa, a former aide at her childrens school, would support Police, meanwhile, said they remain committed to solving her disappearance. Were very hopeful that certainly well have some closure to the case, Kivisto said. Even finding out what happened to Lisa will bring little comfort, Judy Ruttenberg said. To have closure is not in our thoughts because we dont have our daughter," she said. A year after Lisa Stebic disappeared, her grieving relatives havent come to terms with their anguish though they remain determined to find out what happened to the 37-year-old Plainfield mother of two.

We cant release our pain. Its constant, said her mother, Judy Ruttenberg, in her first public comments since her daughter disappeared. Ruttenberg said the loss of her middle daughter has left an immense hole in our lives. On Sunday, Ruttenberg, Stebics father and two sisters will lead hundreds of friends and supporters in a march through Plainfield to mark her disappearance on April 30, 2007. The walk, which begins at 1 p.m.

at the Village Green in Plainfield, is a fundraiser for the Joliet-based Guardian Angel Community Services. It also is a way to keep attention focused on the search for Stebic, Ruttenberg said Stebic vanished while in the midst of a divorce from her husband, Craig, though the two still shared a home in Plainfield. The march, dubbed Lisas Walk, also demonstrates they never will stop searching for the devoted mother who left behind a young son, now 1 1, and a daugh The Safest Place to Park your Funds The Hidden Gem your Familys looking for. Can our Family help your Family? Spectrum Select Money Market Account 3.00&- for balances of $500,000 to $900,000 If youre tired of seeing the value of your investments go down every month, theres no safer place to park your funds than in a BankFinancial Spectrum Select Money Market Account. Providing you do not make withdrawals, your statement will show an increase in your original investment month after month guaranteed! Protect your investment.

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