Obituary of Richard Anthony Stanfel Sr.

Richard Anthony Stanfel Sr., “Dick”, age 87, passed away at his home in Libertyville, Illinois, on June 22, 2015 following a long illness. He is survived by his three sons: Richard Stanfel Jr. (Mary Roxanne) of Deerfield Illinois; Scott Stanfel (Deadra) of Lindenhurst, Illinois; and Jon Stanfel (Sandra) of Libertyville, Illinois. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Jordyn, Taylor, Nick, Sam, Peter, Margaret, Brandon, and Jessica. Dick was born July 20, 1927 in San Francisco, California to the late Peter and Anne Stanfel. He was one of six children, survived by his sister, Lois Jensen of Walnut Creek, California. His family owned and operated the historic “Double Play” bar in San Francisco for almost 70 years. Richard Stanfel, “Dick”, was a former offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of San Francisco and was drafted in the second round of the 1951 NFL Draft. He played for the Lions for four seasons from 1952–1955 and the Redskins for three seasons from 1956–1958. With the Lions, Stanfel won two NFL Championships (1952 and 1953) and earned two Pro Bowl selections (1953 and 1955). After 1953 championship season, Dick was voted by his teammates as MVP...the only offensive lineman to ever receive this distinction. He was traded to the Redskins in 1956 and earned three straight Pro Bowl honors from 1956–1958. He was named to the National Football League 1950s All-Decade Team and in 2002, he was named one of the 70 Greatest Redskins. Dick began his coaching career at Notre Dame and USF California before spending the remainder of his 35 year coaching career in the pro ranks with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints (twice) and Chicago Bears. Dick became the interim head coach for the New Orleans Saints for the final four games of the 1980 season. He was the offensive line coach for the Chicago Bears from 1981 to 1992, and helped produce a solid offensive line that was an integral part of the Bears winning Super Bowl XX following the 1985 season. Dick was named a senior nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993 and again in 2012. He was respected and loved by his fellow coaches and players alike. Dick’s gruff voice and tough, no nonsense, coaching approach were his identity. For those that got to know him personally, he was kind, generous, humorous, engaging, and left an impact on everyone he encountered. The visitation will be held Sunday, June 28, 2015 at McMurrough Funeral Chapel, 101 Park Place, Libertyville, (Rt. 176, 1 Block East of Milwaukee Ave) Illinois 60048 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be held Monday, June 29, 2015 at St Joseph Catholic Church, 121 E. Maple Ave,. Libertyville, Illinois at 10:00 a.m.. Interment with military honors directly following mass at Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Gridiron Greats, 8770 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60631. Info: (847) 362-2626 and www.libertyvillefuneralhome.com.