Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/97177
Tracy Franklin Assistant to the Head of School ���He would point out places of interest, where he grew up, how the neighborhood had changed, or comment, ���Did you know this was the longest street in Chicago?��� ��� Tracy Franklin, Assistant to the Head of School 40 I met Dick Dolezal on January 4, 1989, my first day. I don���t have a real clear recollection of what I did that day, but I remember Dick stopped by the office and graciously welcomed me. We spoke briefly and in parting, he said, ���We���re glad you���re here. If you need anything, I���m two doors down.��� There are a few things that come to mind when I think of Dick: He was frugal. He was generous. He liked to watch the TV series, ���Law And Order.��� He didn���t like cheese and he didn���t like mushrooms ��� so pizza was never high on his list. But he did like Bessie Frye���s bread pudding. Dick had a skill that surprised me: He knew shorthand. So if I couldn���t be present at a meeting, he���d take the notes in shorthand and I���d transcribe them later. Our conversations didn���t revolve around literature, writing or the classics. We talked about our cholesterol levels, our eyesight, the benefits of cranberry juice, homeowner issues, his cottage in Whitewater, WI and, of course, we discussed whatever might be going on at Latin. On occasion he L AT I N M AGAZINE would ask, ���Have you looked at your TIAACREF retirement account this month?��� For many years, Dick and I had a yearly June ritual. After the school year ended, we���d deliver the school trophies to an engraver located in Niles. On our return to school, if the Kennedy Expressway was backed up, Dick would get off at an exit and we���d drive through different neighborhoods. He would point out places of interest, where he grew up, how the neighborhood had changed, or comment, ���Did you know this was the longest street in Chicago?��� We���d park the car in his parking space and then go to lunch at DiNotto���s or at the Chinese restaurant on Wells Street. We also made spontaneous trips over the years. Dick would stop by my office and say, ���Are you free?��� ���Can you get away?��� I���d make sure all was in order, and then off we���d go. Our first stop was Ricci Nuts on Superior Street; from there we���d drive to Blommer Chocolates or to the Fannie May outlet. Dick���s office was a smorgasbord of treats. On top of the filing cabinet was a large canister. I thought it was ornamental, but when I saw Warren Hawley reach for it, I asked, ���What���s in there?��� Warren replied, ���This is where Dick keeps the peanuts.��� The jelly beans were on the table, and the chocolates were kept in his desk drawers. The fine chocolate variety would include Blommer malted milk balls, chocolate stars, snow-caps, a Fannie May assortment, chocolate-covered orange peels and the bridge mix. I spent a lot of time in Dick���s office! Every year the candy disappeared when the Lenten season began, and it always reappeared on the Monday after Easter. I liked hearing Dick speak. He had a strong, calming voice, and when Dick spoke, we listened. We all wanted to hear what he had to say. His presence will be missed.