Richard (Dick) Durning, 78, died on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in Chicago. Dick suffered a devastating brain aneurysm. Born in Denver to Ruth and Al Durning, Dick attended Coe College. After he graduated, he worked a year as a Vista Volunteer in Tulsa, OK. He came to Chicago as a part of Teacher Corps, earning his Master’s of Education and going on to work as a public school teacher for 10+ years.

While taking photography classes at Jane Addams Hull House he met Lina Cramer. They married in 1978 in their Rogers Park two-flat. Their son, Nathaniel, was born in 1983. The family moved to Evanston in 1986 and lived there until 2015 - when they returned to Chicago - living in Edgewater. Nate, like his father, became a teacher. He is married to Laura Smith. They live in Western Massachusetts.

After leaving teaching, Dick devoted himself to fundraising for a variety of nonprofit organizations, raising tens of millions of dollars over the years. He retired in his early 60s. Dick and Lina then created The Wisdom Exchange, their consulting business. It worked with individuals, organizations, and communities to involve all stakeholders, address pressing concerns and increase their capacity to secure financial support within a space of integrity, engagement, joy, and invitation.

Dick’s family meant the world to him. He was a devoted husband and father. Following his sister’s untimely death, Dick was lovingly committed to her children and grandchildren who he adored.

Dick and Lina traveled widely, developing friendships and professional networks wherever they went. In retirement, their travels included Bhutan, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, Laos, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Belize, Turkey, Italy, Scotland, The Netherlands, Belgium, and to the original Durning settlement in Nova Scotia. One of his last travels was a spontaneous trip to Iceland to experience erupting volcanoes.

Dick had a variety of physical fitness passions. In his 20s, he bicycled through northern Europe including the Alps and the British Isles. Later in life, he rode in Colorado and throughout the Midwest. Dick ran a marathon at 65, hiked Cape Town’s Table Mountain at 72, and remained committed to practicing rollerblading.

Guests of the Durning-Cramer household, including many who Dick and Lina visited, enjoyed his cooking and hospitality. He explored new recipes, loved hosting friends and family, and was famous for his smoothies. Overall, he always made a point of getting to know people through generous listening and powerful questions.

Dick’s commitment to progressive and democratic causes was profound. He was esteemed by activist colleagues as a role model who always had more time for calling and canvassing, for learning, and a special gift for getting people to open up by listening to them with curiosity and care.

A shiva with family and close friends was held at Dick and Lina’s apartment on July 26th. A more fulsome and inclusive memorial celebrating Dick’s life will occur in the future.

Dick will be missed profoundly. In lieu of flowers, Lina suggests that donations can be made to Indivisible Chicago Alliance, Third Act, Tzedek Chicago, or an organization of your choice honoring Dick’s memory. 

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