Richard M. Stevenson

Richard M. Stevenson passed away on June 25, 2026, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, with his wife, Bev, and son, Jeff, by his side. Rick was a big spirit with a keen wit, extraordinary determination, and—despite an at-times cantankerous crust—a profound warmth and selfless generosity. He left an indelible mark on everyone he met and everything he did.

Born in Kansas City in 1946, Rick’s early life instilled the self-determined grit that defined his career. He worked at the local Woolworth’s during high school, where his father had been store manager. Rick enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduating, serving three years stateside before deploying to a forward-operating base in Vietnam during active combat. Rick used the G.I. Bill and his wages from a local plant nursery to earn his degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC). That nursery is where he cultivated a lifelong passion for gardening.  Most importantly, UMKC is where he met Bev, his loving and lifetime partner.

Rick spent his career in commercial real estate in St. Louis. For decades, he was a leading figure at Northland Financial Co.—the mortgage banking firm that became Northmarq—serving as President until his 1999 retirement. He later served a decade on the board of Heartland Bank and concurrently as a director and eventual chairman of Love Funding, a national FHA/HUD lender.

In retirement, Rick devoted significant time to the American Red Cross. After joining the St. Louis chapter, he was deployed on four national assignments, including to Ground Zero in the aftermath of September 11. He rose to chair the St. Louis chapter’s Emergency Services Committee, where he helped develop the City’s multi-year community disaster plan. He also helped lead the St. Louis center that provided emergency aid to over 5,700 Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

Rick’s zeal for life led to many passions. He and Bev hosted friends and family in their St. Louis backyard pool and garden.  Their guests likened it to a paradise resort—thanks, in large part, to the astonishing array of immaculately tended flowers and trees. Rick enjoyed reading and writing Haiku—and his best poems were about the chipmunks that ate his many flowers.

He fished the lakes of Missouri in his Ranger Bass Boat. He regularly went to Mark Twain, Truman, and Table Rock Lakes with Bev and Jeff—though they were more interested in boat “tubing” than getting up at 5 a.m. to fish.  Luckily, Rick would also visit those waters many times with his friends and brother-in-law, Jim, to catch large-mouth bass (however, "Luther," the mythical bass haunting his neighborhood pond, ever eluded him and remains at large). 

Rick traveled the world with his wife and friends.  Rick and Bev traveled throughout Europe.  They went to Kenya for an unforgettable safari adventure.  He visited Israel and Jordan with his close friends.  And Rick and Bev spent many winters away from the Midwestern cold in Bonita Beach, Florida. 

He had a voracious appetite for books about history, art, and science.  He passed those interests on to Jeff.  Rick and Jeff also spent hours on their shared love of computers, mostly 80s and 90s-era computer games.  On top of playing catch and going to the lake, playing “King’s Quest” as a duo is something Jeff will always cherish.

In his later years, Rick’s granddaughters, Maya and Laine, were the light of his life.  The girls knew Rick as “Papa.”  Papa could always make them laugh with his knowingly bad “magic” tricks.

Rick was preceded in death by his brothers, Bob and Bill.  He is survived by his wife and son; granddaughters; beloved sisters Cheryl and Gayle; and a wide circle of family and friends. Each will carry his spirit with them forever.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross.

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