Richard Henry Dempsey, affectionately known as “Dempsey,” passed away in Middleton, Wisconsin on September 8, 2025, at age 76. He was surrounded by his loving family: Jennifer (wife), Grendel V and Mathew IV (Irish Wolfhounds), and Busby II (Scottish Deerhound). Richard was a brilliant, kind, creative, loyal, and humorous person who had a wholehearted zest for travel, adventure, learning, teaching, and people. His passions included Irish Wolfhounds, competitive debate, Heinekens, history and politics, Marantz receivers, Monitor Audio speakers, horror films and books, Hallmark Christmas movies, Corvettes, Jaguar E&F types and 1973 Pontiac Trans Ams.

Born in Ft. Lewis, Washington, Richard grew up on army bases, including spending 2 3 year tours in Hanau, Germany, where he learned about competitive debate from his favorite teacher, Ms. Jenelle Cowen and became friends with John Rogers. His father retired in Miami, where Richard attended Coral Park High School, developed his dislike for the heat and the beach, and became a diehard Miami Dolphin fan. He played varsity football, was class president, and made lifelong friendships with Bill and Jan Chalker, Gary and Elaine King, and Karen and George Russo.

He studied and debated for 6 years at Miami Dade Junior College, receiving the Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges and a Hall of Fame student award for forensics in 1971.

He continued his education at Illinois State University (ISU) on a debate scholarship, where he participated in more than 450 rounds at over 55 tournaments with a 77%- win record. He placed in the top 4 more than 25 times; won five national titles including Tournament of Champions in 1972-3; and qualified twice for the National Debate Tournament. In addition to earning his “BS” degree, he was inducted into the ISU Forensics Hall of Fame. Friendships that began at ISU included Robert Rice Reynolds, Michael Shultz, Larry Chisesi, Lyle King, and Howard Burkholz.

Richard then went to Western Illinois University to complete his Master of Arts in only a year as he wasn’t debating. Next, he moved to Harvey, IL, made another lifelong friend, David Hartman, returned to the debate world through teaching at Thornridge High School, and became a White Sox fan.

He completed his PhD coursework at University of Illinois and then worked as the Director of Forensics/Debate at a variety of colleges and again making lifelong friendships: University of Illinois (Craig Cutbirth and Bev Herzog), Wayne State College (Kathy Kemler Reidman and Denise “Denis” Chinn); Ohio University; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (Don and Cindy Griffin); and Eastern Montana College.

Missing teaching teenagers, Richard returned to high school as a teacher and debate coach at Evanston Township High School in 1985, where he taught until 2009. During his tenure at ETHS, he received the University of Chicago Outstanding Teacher Award in 2008.

Richard coaching career was a tremendous success, with more than 200 winning tournaments and 900 awards with national qualifiers in Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, and Student Congress in 35 years. He was a Diamond Key National Forensic League Coach and won the 2008 Crystal E Award for Outstanding Coach at Evanston Township High School. His teams qualified for NDT in 1982 and placed 8th at the National College champions in 1983. An athlete at heart, he was proudest of his Illinois High School Association state debate championships:

• Lincoln-Douglas champions in 2004 champions and third place in 1987
• Policy debate champions in 1995, 1993, and 1976; second place in 1991 and 1978; and third place in 1996 and 1992

Richard’s hobbies included his home theater; owning fast cars and Jeeps; and restoring old cars (two 1973 Pontiac Trans Ams and two Fiats). He published twelve academic articles but bragged more about his two fiction books – Lycanthropes Lose in Chicago! and A Girl’s Quest to Save the Universe.

Richard is preceded by his parents, Mary and Henry Dempsey, his brother Michael, and Aunts Ruth Hoyle and  Mildred Bowen. He is survived by his sister-in-law Lori Dempsey, his Aunts Francis Rogers, and his cousins Gary Rogers, Sharon Rogers, Tommy Rogers, Carolyn Gorman, Faye Wessels, Jimmy Hoyle, and Debra Camp, his wife, Jennifer Norr, her family including her mother Kathleen Norr David, David’s wife Sujan, and their daughter Hailey.

Richard’s legacy is his students. In lieu of flowers, please donate to organizations connected with his students. Let Jennifer know if one is missed.

• National Day Labor Organizing Network https://ndlon.org/donate/
• The Carter Center - https://www.cartercenter.org/…

A celebration of life will be at Capital Brewery, 7734 Terrace Ave, Middleton, WI 53562, on Monday, September 15, 2025, from 4 PM to 7 PM. Details are forthcoming for a virtual celebration of life on his favorite holiday, Halloween, October 31, 2025, at 10 am CST.

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