Richard N. Paganini, age 84, a resident of Naperville, IL, and professor at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue, New York, died suddenly, April 1, 2015, in Naperville, Illinois. He was born July 29, 1930 in Queens, New York to Maiolo Natale "Andrew" and Anna Louise "Mary" Paganini.

He grew up in New York City, son of Italian immigrants. He attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas, where he received his teaching degree. He began teaching in 1957 at Williams Military Academy in Wheaton, IL, where he raised his family. He continued his education and received a Master's Degree in Education from Kansas State Teachers College. Richard's passion was teaching which he continued until his death. He commuted weekly from Naperville to New York to teach Communications and Public Speaking at St. Joseph's College in NY. He was beloved by his students and colleagues.

He is survived by his children, Ric Paganini Smith of Naperville, Aynne (Eric) Paganini Malmborg of Wheaton, and David (Lisa) Paganini Smith of Elgin, five grandchildren, Alexis Smith, William Malmborg, Thomas Malmborg, Elanor Smith, and Amanda Smith, and his sister, Barbara Paganini Murphy of Rocky Point, NY.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jeanne Eisenbacher in 2001, his parents, and his former wife,  Bettie Parks in 1998.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 7, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187. A mass will be held on Wednesday, April 8, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery in Wheaton.

Memorial gifts may be directed to St. Joseph's College, http://giving.sjcny.edu/how-to-give/ or to Catholic Charities USA, http://catholiccharitiesusa.org/

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.