We at LCA were shocked and saddened by the news of Richard Driehaus’ death this past Tuesday.
Education, architecture, and especially the arts benefited from Richard’s personal passion for the culture of our City. He was an ardent advocate for philanthropy’s critical role in sustaining the arts and particularly in encouraging new arts ventures.
Richard was a highly successful businessman, and he respected LCA’s role in assisting those in the arts to be smart about the business side of their art. In fact, we often quote his statement of our mission: “LCA does all the left-brain work for the right-brain people.”
LCA Executive Director Jan Feldman stated, “Richard Driehaus was the epitome of the self-made man who wanted to ‘give back;’ he did that with well-honed instincts for strategic investment. He was also incredibly fun to be around with his infectious laugh and wide-ranging intellect. We were proud to present LCA’s Distinguished Service to the Arts Award to Richard in 2009."
All of us at LCA send our deepest condolences to Richard’s family, and to his extended business and philanthropic family.
Full obituaries are available in The Chicago Sun Times and The Chicago Tribune.
Photo of Richard Driehaus provided by the Driehaus Foundation