Richard (Rick) Lee Kinser

Richard (Rick) Lee Kinser, 68, of Morton Grove, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. He was born April 3, 1956, in La Grange, Kentucky.  

The first-born son of Charles Donald (Don) and Georgia Kinser, Rick graduated from Jefferson High School in Rockford, IL. He then served our country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. His training included mechanic and maintenance expertise for the hawk missile and refrigeration.  In 1976, he achieved some notoriety for shenanigans involving painting the missile red, white and blue which are not standard issue colors.     

Rick married the love of his life, Pamela (Pam) Jean Kittoe on October 24, 1974, in Rockford, IL. He was a devout Catholic and most recently attended mass at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Skokie, Il.  Rick was also a member of The Morton Grove American Legion, Post 134, Athens Knights of Columbus Council #1716, Viper Club of America, and Mustang Club.  

Rick was able to apply his training in the military to kickstart his engineering career at Dean Foods.  For over 25 years, he worked at various plants and positions culminating in Project Manager in the Engineering Department.  To this day, his programming is revered. He furthered his education and received his bachelor's and master's degrees along with numerous certifications.  

Pam and Rick enjoyed a period of self-employment, each heading a successful company. After a few highly successful years, they happily settled into a quieter life in Tennessee. There he worked for Mayfield Dairy for over 12 years, enjoying a slower paced town and life.  Rush hour traffic was getting caught at the light on the way home.  

Rick loved driving and working on muscle cars and golfing.  Pam and Rick drove many cars through the Smoky Mountains and to car shows. He had a passion for life that was contagious.  Whether it was dancing or trying new food, he inspired many to enjoy life. His favorite time was spent traveling with his family; most notably in Australia, throughout Europe, and on two cruises with his granddaughters whom he adored.  He liked to say his cup runneth over when they were born.    

Rick is loved and will be missed by his beloved wife of 50 years, Pamela Kinser; daughter, Amber (Beth) Kinser-Lindahl; granddaughters, Miranda and Adelaide; devoted service dog, Karma; sisters-in-law, Kimberly (Stan) Masters, Tracy Kittoe, Shirley Kittoe; nephews, Dimitri Masters, Brad (Fay) Kittoe; his mother, siblings and their families.  Rick was preceded in death by his son, James Ray Kinser; father, Don Kinser and brother-in-law, Thad Kittoe. Private burial in St. James Catholic Cemetery in Belvidere, IL.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to support the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease [FTD or PPA research or MCNADC Support Programs].   

c/o Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E. Superior St., 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 or feinberg.northwestern.edu/giving. 

Please follow the instructions below and include Rick’s name with all memorial gifts. 

Online 

Visit our giving page. Please include Rick’s name in the "honor/memorialize a loved one" section, so that the family can be notified of your gift. Select "other" and insert [FTD or PPA research or MCNADC Support Programs]. 

By Mail 

Checks can be made payable to the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and mailed, along with Rick’s name in the memo line, to the following address: 

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine 
420 E. Superior St., 9th Floor 
Chicago, IL 60611 

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.belviderefh.com.