Obituaries

Richard “Rick/Dick” Royce, affectionately known as Ricky, Dick, Dad, Uncle Buck, Beba, and the “Good Humor Man,” passed away far too soon, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, generosity, creativity, and friendship.
Dick was a genuinely kind and caring man who had a gift for making everyone around him feel welcome and valued. He was always ready to help, share a laugh, or lend a hand, and he rarely met a person he couldn’t connect with. One of four boys raised in Rogers Park, Chicago, Rick attended St. Jerome’s and St. George before continuing his education at Loyola University. Lifelong friendships were incredibly important to him, and many of the friendships he formed as a child remained with him throughout his life.
Dick’s entrepreneurial spirit and endless curiosity led him through many careers and adventures. He worked at Sandlers Drugs, Campbell Soup, AT&T, and Rehab, where he helped make wheelchairs. He also created several unique ventures, including Swing It indoor batting cages, Bats by Buck, where he hand-crafted wooden baseball bats, and Doozy the Clown, where he became a certifi ed clown and juggler.
In retirement, Dick found his dream job as the owner of a Good Humor ice cream truck. He used it not only to bring ice cream and smiles to children and families, but also to support birthdays, community events, fundraisers, and charitable causes, including St. Jude. Wherever Dick went, he brought joy with him.
Dick was endlessly creative and loved learning, building, fi xing, and making things with his hands. He played drums and guitar, built a large saltwater fi sh tank, learned to juggle and ride a unicycle, restored cars and boats, built go-karts and a backyard putting green, and hand-crafted beautiful wooden pieces in his beloved barn and workshop.
He had a special love for animals, especially his dogs, and he treasured his family above all else.
Dick was the beloved husband of Susan Royce, his wife and partner of 52 years. He was a devoted father to Katie DeAngelis and Molly Kottke, a loving father-in-law to Brad DeAngelis and John Kottke, and a proud grandfather to Kaliana “Kali” DeAngelis, Bradley DeAngelis, and John John Kottke. He was their enthusiastic supporter and biggest cheerleader, rarely missing an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and passions.
Dick will also be deeply missed by his extended family, lifelong friends, former teammates, colleagues, neighbors, and the countless people whose lives he touched through his kindness, humor, generosity, and willingness to simply show up.
Dick lived life with curiosity, imagination, humor, and an enormous heart. He taught those around him to be kind, help others, work hard, try something new, create, laugh often, and always show up for the people you love.
He was truly one of a kind. His family takes comfort in imagining him reunited with those who went before him, telling stories, making people laugh, playing music, and perhaps fi nding a piece of wood to turn into something amazing.
And somewhere, we hope, there is a Good Humor truck waiting for him.
He was loved beyond words and will never be forgotten.

A Memorial visitation will take place Tuesday September 22, 2026 at (Yurs Funeral Home 405 East Main Street Saint Charles, IL 60174) from 12:00 Noon – 2:30 P.M. with a service to follow at 2:30 P.M.

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