Richard J. “Rich” McCormick
February 6, 1960 – November 11, 2023
Rich was born in Teaneck, NJ. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School in Closter, NJ, and graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest, NJ. Upon
graduation, he moved to Omaha to attend and graduate from Creighton University with a B.A. degree in Journalism in 1982. Following graduation, Rich worked for Lever Brothers and The Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 1993, he landed his dream job with Creighton University where he remained for 30 years, until the time of his death. He passed away peacefully of complications from carcinoid cancer, surrounded by his loving family. Rich loved Creighton and all of the people he met through Creighton during his time there. All who knew Rich knew that he bled blue.
In 1986 Rich married Bonnie Knerl, and to their union two daughters were born – Maggie in 1993, and Kellie in 1996. He was immensely proud of both of them and the fact that they are both nurses. They cared for Rich often in his final months with unconditional love and unwavering compassion.
Rich was preceded in death by his parents, James and Alice McCormick; sister, Kathleen McCormick McLaughlin; brother-in-law, John McLaughlin; mother-in-law, Patricia Knerl; nieces and nephew: Elizabeth, Christine and Maureen Knorr, and Bridget and John McCormick. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 37 years, Bonnie Knerl McCormick; daughter, Maggie McCormick and her boyfriend, Morgan Ashford; daughter, Kellie McCormick Corcoran and son-in-law, Brenan Corcoran; brothers, Jim (Joanna) McCormick, Tom McCormick, Bob (Michele) McCormick; sister, Rosemary (Ernie) Knorr; father-in-law, Phil Knerl; brothers-in-law, Jeff (Kathie) Knerl and Kelly (KJ) Knerl; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Services will be as follows: Visitation on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 4:30 – 7:00 PM with Rosary at 7:00 PM at St. John’s Catholic Church, Creighton University. Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, Nov. 17, at 10:00 AM, also at St. John’s, with private burial at South Creek Cemetery in Ponca, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Creighton University at the link below. http://www.creighton.edu\mccormick
14 Comments
Dearest Bonnie, Maggie, Kellie and all of Rich’s family . . , oh I am so so so sorry for your dearest dearest loss . . , my heart is so sad for you all but I am comforted that Rich is not in pain and not suffering and that he was with all the people who loved him as he stepped out of this world and into Jesus’s eternal loving arms . . . I am thinking about you all and praying God will comfort EACH of you . II KNOW ‘words’ can not even express what we feel in our hearts at this time . . . my deepest love ❤️ to you all . . .
Bonnie,
I’m so sorry. I will always remember Rich as my first boss. I learned so much from him not only about fundraising but more importantly how to love his family. When he would talk about you his face would always light up. He adored you and your girls. Sending hugs to you and your family.
Sherri
Sincerest condolences to Richard’s wife and daughters. and his siblings. Fond memories of all the McCormicks from growing up in Closter..
Richard and I went to St.Mary’s and NVHRS @ Demarest
.Richard was always a very kind person.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let Your perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed
rest in peace.
Peggy Connolly and the Connolly Family from High Street Closter, NJ
Bonnie, I am so sad for you and your girls. May God wrap you all in his love and give you strength through this difficult time.
I agree with Bryan Beam, Chis Korth, Gerry Brenneman, Al Berding, Cathy Cornell Jenkins, Pat Bottaro, Tim Feathers, Emmett Kenney,, Doug Knust and hundreds more 1979-1982 Creighton student life revelers: this is devastating.
September 30-October 1, 2922, just a year ago. We were all together at our 40th Creighton reunion; he was on it. Rich was so helpful. He was my conduit to the University we texted solid for the duration.😭 A joy.
That SAE house picture of the guys in the yearbook where he looks like a total rat pack, ala The Outsiders. We love you, Rich! Pray/intercede for us!
Oh dear Bonnie, (your children Morgan and Kelly) and sibs Rosemary, Jim, Tom, and Bob and all of your extended family. I am so sorry to hear of Rich’s death. What a sad occasion and I am heartened to read of all the support he had both at home at at work. How much he was appreciated and loved. Know that I took always felt his kindness and care when ever I saw and spoke to Rich. Bonnie what a tender time, it is no doubt that you were his rock and I sure he would not want you to suffer. May his love and memories support and guide you during this time of loss. May your whole extended family be there for one another. Know that you are held in the hearts of the whole entire McLaughlin family. May God and your faith bless you every step of the way. Cass
Dear Jim,
Pam and I are so sorry to learn of Rich’s passing. May happy memories bring you comfort and peace.
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal;
Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
Mc Cormick Family: Rich was one of the greatest guys I had the pleasure knowing from our days together at Creighton, to a later relationship we forged when he was picking my pocket for donations to CU. He and I spent many Missouri Valley Basketball Tournaments together in St. Louis, and fortunately the statute of limitations is up on anything crazy we did while at Creighton. Rich gave me a little bit of a reality check when I was a cocky freshman and SAE pledge at CU, and I am a much better person for having known him. Phi Alpha Brother, represent Jersey and the Jays well in Heaven.
Bonnie, Maggie, and Kellie, my deep condolences to you and the entire McCormick family. Rich is (it feels strange addressing him in the past tense) one of the most kind-hearted people I have ever known in my life. He will always be remembered. “Rest in peaceful paradise, boss….”
Bonnie, Maggie, and Kellie,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Rich was a truly wonderful person, colleague, and friend, whose support and friendship I will forever value. He was unfailingly thoughtful, kind, generous, and completely devoted to you and his Creighton family. I mourn his passing with you and wish you comfort and peace.
With deepest sympathy.
Laura
Offering my deepest sympathy to the McCormick family. Rich exemplified faith, hope and great love; especially for his family. I will always remember his kindness during my years working at Creighton. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May you rest in eternal peace, dear Rich.
McCormick family. Offering condolences to you all. My prayers for entire family.
Especially Tom and Jim.
Blessings to all the McCormick’s.
Bonnie, I am so sorry for you and your families loss! Rich was a damned good man! Prayers
Tim
Dear Bonnie:
I was a high school friend of Rich’s – I dated his best friend John Rodgers, and we had tons of fun together. We did the Catholic Search program together as teens and exchanged letters and enjoyed visits at home during college. I had actually spoken to him by phone earlier this year when I was calling your district regarding Gun Control legislation as a volunteer. He had mentioned that cancer, but I didn’t know how serious it was, otherwise, I would have made additional calls to him.
I know you will miss him terribly, as will your girls. Our only child, Emily was also born in 1993 and is married and we have a 20 month old granddaughter. It breaks my heart that he will not have the pleasure of being a grandparent. I love that he was a “Girl Dad,” they are the best!
I am making a donation to Creighton (of course) and am having some masses said at St. John’s in his memory. I also found some old photos that I’d like to send you and some of his letters from college.
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