We’re celebrating the life of Randolph “Randy” Gutek, who passed away on March 11, 2026. Randy was born on June 14, 1959, in Hardin, Kentucky, and later moved with his family to Illinois, where he grew up, attended Warren Township High School, and eventually settled in Waukegan.  It's where he built his life, raised his family, and lived his life to the fullest.

If you knew Randy, you knew he could talk to anyone — and usually did. He carried a big heart, a big laugh, and a gift for making people feel welcome. He never met a stranger, only people he hadn’t gotten to know yet.

In 1988, Randy married his lovely wife, Susan, and together they built a life full of love, laughter, and a growing family.  One of his proudest roles was being a dad. He is survived by his son, Matthew Gutek; his step‑children Kristen Koch (Eric), Michael and Christopher Bergland (Amira). He was a devoted grandfather to Faith and Chloe Koch, and Amelie Bergland. His sister, Mary Estrada Govekar Gutek, carries his memory forward and will miss him dearly.

Randy now reunites with his wife, Susan; his parents, Christel and Joseph; his brother, John; and his grandson, James — all of whom he loved deeply.

Randy had a soft spot for animals and opened his home to many adopted pets over the years. He even cared for the wildlife that wandered through his backyard, treating every creature like it belonged there. He was also a fantastic cook, always ready to feed a crowd or share a favorite recipe.

And of course, there was fishing — one of Randy’s greatest joys. Whether he was out on the water or just telling stories about “the one that got away,” fishing was his happy place. He could talk for hours about his adventures, and he loved every minute of it.

While we’ll miss his big personality, his warmth, and his love for life’s simple pleasures, we’re grateful for the memories he leaves behind. Randy lived fully, loved generously, and made the world feel friendlier just by being in it.

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