David Richard Dahlstrom – known by most as Dick – went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday morning, January 30th.  He was born to Karl and Lisa Dahlstrom in 1934 as they were struggling their way out of the Great Depression.  He was born in Chicago but spent his growing up years in a modest home in Elmwood Park.  That home was filled with love, and it was there that Dick learned very early that God was the center of that home.  As a young boy, Dick gave his heart to Jesus at a Child Evangelism class that met weekly in that home.  Praying in that basement next to the huge coal eating furnace this young boy made a commitment that would guide him for the rest of his long life.

Dick attended Oak Park-River Forest high school and it was there that a teacher recognized his gift of drawing and painting.  He was encouraged to enter a competition at the Oak Park Wieboldts store and winning that award set him on a path that led him to a career in the area of graphic arts and an incredibly successful career.

After graduation, Dick attended classes at the Art Institute of Chicago.  The Korean war was winding down, but young men were still being called to the draft and so that army was the next stop for Dick.  Once again, his artistic skill was noticed by an officer who saw him doodling in a training session and asked him to draw illustrations for training manuals.  When he was sent to Korea, his commanding officer gave him the job of setting up an arts and crafts shop for the troops there.  While in Korea, he connected with the TEAM missionaries who were building a radio station and his building skills were put to work.

Coming back to the states Dick found work in the world of printing but more importantly he found Jackie!  This lovely, godly young woman became his wife and together they started their life of serving the Lord together.  They soon had two children, Cheri and David.  Dick eventually had a business of his own called Dahlstrom Display and continued his artistic talent by creating and producing advertisements for some of the major companies in the Chicago area.

Eventually, Dick and Jackie established a lovely home on Washington Island, Wisconsin.  This became a place of respite away from his growing business, but Dick loved Chicago and lived for several years in different locations in the city.  During those years, he and Jackie were involved in the ministry of Moody Church where Dick was an elder and Jackie served in various roles.

After his retirement in 1998, Dick returned to his art work with great enthusiasm.  He painted and built models and participated in art fairs as often as he could.  His painted rocks became his trademark along with the popular shingle fish and shadow box houses.  He retired to Fairhaven in Rockford in 2019 and became an active member of the Maywood Free Church there.

In a recent tribute for Dick's 90th birthday, friends and family shared memories of Dick.  Many commented on his wry sense of humor and his artistic talent, but all agreed that his walk with Jesus had impacted them in so many ways.  His love for God's Word caused him to study and journal at great length and led him to write two books in recent years.

Dick is survived by his son David (Theresa); his sisters Carla (Phil) Stough and Karen (John) Festa; his seven grandchildren Kristofor (Rebecca) Dahlstrom, Michael Dahlstrom, Benjamin (Analysia) Dahlstrom, Trevor (Kezia) Williams, Tatiana Williams, Thorsten Williams, Tim Kastelein; his step children Sherryl Aldridge, Dave Aldridge, Rick (Jodi) Benware, Randy (Marie) Benware, Stephanie  (Gregory) Sleeth and eleven step grandchildren Bryan(Tabitha) Aldridge, Kerri Aldridge/Mario Pavesich, Brad (Alexis) Aldridge, Torrey(Naomi) Benware, Tyler(Ally) Benware, Talia(Abram) Nino, Katherine(Timothy) Lopez, Caleb (Roni) Benware, Kelsie (Caleb) Rathbun, Cody Benware, Karly Benware. He is also leaving behind a loving caregiver, Carita Powers.

Preceded in death by his parents and his cherished wife, Jackie, and his daughter Cheri.

Memorials may be directed to Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center or Maywood Free Church .