Thomas D. Ricke

Thomas (Tom) Douglas Ricke was a Palatine resident for 24 years. Visitation for Mr. Ricke will be held on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N Northwest Hwy. Palatine, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be said at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 1, 2024, at St. Thomas Villanova Catholic Church, 1201 E. Anderson Drive, Palatine. The Interment will be held privately at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery, Palatine, at a later date.

Mr. Ricke was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 2, 1946, to Earl and Rebecca (nee Summers) Ricke and passed away at home on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

After graduating from the University of Detroit in 1969 with a degree in journalism, Mr. Ricke began his career as a reporter for the Detroit Free Press. He was then hired as chief speech writer for Hugh L. Carey, the Governor of New York. He continued on to become a member of the editorial board of the New York Daily News before accepting the position of Vice President of Public Affairs and Special Projects for the New York Health and Hospital Association. Mr. Ricke then entered the corporate world as the Director of Communications for Philip Morris Companies Inc. and then moved up to Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Kraft General Foods. In the 1990’s, he was a frequent guest at The White House while working with Points of Light, a community outreach program. Mr. Ricke was known for his charismatic personality and wit. He loved photography, rock n’ roll music, cookies & cream ice cream, writing and was devoted to his family.

He is preceded in death by his son, Mark; his sister, Kathy; and his parents. Mr. Ricke is survived by his beloved companion, Marilee Pritchard; his daughter, Stephanie (Jason) Graham; granddaughters, Evelyn and Mirabel; his ex-wife, Anne Grimmonpre; and his siblings, Sue (Karl) Cadera, Peggy Carter, and Bernard (Suzy) Ricke; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Ricke had a special interest in mental health support. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you show your support by donating to Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.