Richard L. Fairgrieves, 75, of Belvidere, died Sunday, November 4, 2012 in his home following a short illness. He was born on October 22, 1937 in Belvidere; the son of Charles and Maybelle (Welin) Fairgrieves. Richard was a graduate of the University of Illinois with a B.S. in 1959 and M.S. Degree in 1960. He then received his Ed. M. degree from Harvard University in 1965; his C.A.S. degree from Northern Illinois University in 1973 followed by an Ed. D. Degree in 1980. Richard married Elsie Bruhn in Belvidere on August 30, 1959. Richard taught Science at Belvidere High School from 1960 to 1967 and served as Head of the Science Department for three years. He became a Superintendent at Shirland Community Consolidated School District #134, in Winnebago County from 1967 to 1983; He served as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Boone-Winnebago Counties from 1983 to 1987 before becoming the Regional Superintendent of Schools from August 1987 until retiring on June 30, 2011. He received many University Honors which included, National Science Foundation Fellowship at Harvard University in 1964 and 1965; Graduate Fellowship at University of Illinois in 1959-1960; Phi Kappa Phi Academic Achievement in 1959; University Honors at University of Illinois in 1959; Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honorary in 1959; Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Scholastic Honorary in 1956 and the Bronze Tablet – University of Illinois 1958. His other honorary achievements in Belvidere consist of All Millennium Belvidere Bucs Football Team and Belvidere Bucs Football Hall of Fame in October 2012. The Professional Organizations he held memberships with is as follows, Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools; Phi Delta Kappa – Sinnissippi Chapter; Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; Association of School Business Officials; Illinois Association of School Business Officials; School Science and Mathematics Association, Inc.; Life member of the National Science Teachers Association. Richard held other professional certifications which included, Illinois – Superintendent – Administrative K-12; Illinois – Chief School Business Official; A.S.B.O. Registered School Business Administrator. In addition to his educational and professional accomplishments, Richard was active with many community and professional organizations and committees. They include, serving as chairman of the Executive Committee for Winnebago County Special Education Cooperative from 1979 to 1983; participation in the Summer Institute for Principals at Harvard University in 1984; attended the AASA's National Superintendents Academy in 1985; Convener for the Governor's Youth Services Initiative from 1984 to 1986; served on the American Red Cross – Rock River Chapter Safety Belt Project during 1984 to 1987; served on the Child Protection Committee – Child VIP Program in 1986; member of the Education Committee for the Artrain visit to Rockford in September 1985; member of the Education/Military Liaison Committee of the Illinois State Board of Education; member of the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society, Winnebago Unit; held the position of Secretary of the Rock Valley College Area Planning Council for Adult Education; served on the Computer Literacy Advisory Committee of the Illinois State Board of Education; participated in the School Business Officials Workshop held at Illinois State University from 1969 to 1970; participated in a School District Financial Accounting Workshop held at Southern Illinois University in 1968; in 1965, he participated in the Special Materials Workshop as well as the Advanced Biology Workshop. Both workshops were sponsored by the BSCS. He attended the National Science Foundation In-service Institute in Biology from 1961 to 1963; and served as chairman of an area curriculum study involving five elementary districts and one high school district. His dissertation research involved a survey study dealing with the financial impact of unemployment on public school districts. Richard was raised on a small farm in Northern Illinois and held B.S. and M.S. degrees in agricultural education. For the past 51 years, he has worked in the public schools of Boone and Winnebago Counties as a teacher, department chairman, principal and superintendent. Richard is survived by his wife, Elsie, of Belvidere; son, Alan (Dara) Fairgrieves, Mabelton, Georgia; daughter, Karen (Steven Donaldson) Fairgrieves, Davis, California; three grandchildren, Tessa and Jonathan Fairgrieves and Bennett Donaldson; a sister, Beverly Pyszka, Belvidere; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and Brother Charles.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: R.O.E. Richard L. Fairgrieves Scholarship Fund c/o Riverside Community Bank 6855 E. Riverside Blvd. Rockford, IL 61114.