Dick Apland was born and raised in Iowa in 1933. He met his first and only love, Janet Elaine Hauser in 3rd grade on the monkey bars and they stayed together through Roosevelt High School and the University of Iowa. Dick was drafted in the service and married Jan in 1955 and they spent their first years in Germany. After returning to Iowa, Dick began working for Penneys, learning to sell anything and developing friendships that last to this day. Dick found his passion when he went to manage the Harland IA Chamber and after working for Oelwein, IA, Illinois and Topeka Ks Chambers, returned to the Illinois Chamber, becoming the Executive Vice President. In 1980, he started his own company, R A Apland and Associates. Over the next 20 years, he made a place for each one of his children and together they grew the company to a multimillion dollar company. Today, the company is still being run by the second and third generation, his sons and his grandson. Most importantly, Dick knew how to be a loving husband, father and friend. He and Jan celebrated their 50th Anniversary last year and their loved for each other grew stronger every day. Dick made every one of his eight grandchildren laugh and feel special and gave them all traditions and values to carry with them for the rest of their lives. He believed every day and event was one to celebrate, whether it be an election night party or the beautiful hummingbird out the window. He taught us all to be generous with our thoughts, time and money and showed by example how to make the world a better place, one person and one day at a time. He is survived by his wife, Janet, his sons Brad and Scott Apland; daughters Kari (Kent) Knebelkamp, Kelly (John) Knox; his grandchildren, Justin, Kelsey, Samantha, Sophie, Max, Gracey, Abby and Paul; his sisters Bonnie (Al) Sindelar and Phyllis (Tom) Land. He will be missed by all. Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 1 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Hwy., Palatine. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2 at Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church at 1025 N. Smith Road in Palatine. Memorials may be made to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund at SCAPC, RHINO (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans), 1545 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70018. Mr. Apland will lie in state at church from 10 a.m. until time of the funeral service. Arrangements by Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, Palatine, 847-358-7411.
