by BRIAN NADIG About a dozen smash-and-grab-style commercial burglaries in Edgebrook, Jefferson Park and Portage Park were reported to have occurred early Wednesday morning, Oct. 14, in the 16th (Jefferson read story
Longtime Jefferson Park business owner Dick Nopar passes away; his photography studio stood at 4900 N. Milwaukee
Pictured are (from left) Jeff Fink, nephew of the sculptor, Dick Nopar, and Crete library official Phyllis Monks. About 10 years ago the statue was relocated from Jefferson Park to the public library in Crete, IL.
Richard Nopar, who for decades operated Edward Fox Photography in Jefferson Park, passed away at age 95 on Jan. 22.
Mr. Nopar could often be seen displaying a big smile while he walked around the business district. In the late 1970s, he served as president of the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce.
In 1969, Mr. Nopar relocated the family business to the former Molay Furniture building at 4900 N. Milwaukee Ave. A bronze statue depicting a photographer from the 1920s stood in front of the studio, which featured a 600-pound cast aluminum front door that was designed by Bruce Fink, who also designed the statue.
Nopar’s grandfather was Edward Fox, whom the business is named after. It is believed to be one of the oldest photography businesses in the country.
George Karzas, the former owner of the Gale Street Inn, 4914 N. Milwaukee Ave., described Mr. Nopar as a mentor.
“The guy was a legend. Easily the best businessman on the street — sales, marketing and charm,” Karzas said. “He taught me a lot.”
About 10 years ago the new owners of the studio relocated the business to Norwood Park, and the property on Milwaukee was later sold, and the building demolished. Currently the lot is for lease.
The bronze statue was later relocated to the public library in Crete, IL, where Fink grew up.
The Goldman Funeral Group posted the following about Mr. Nopar:
Richard S. Nopar, age 95, beloved husband and best friend for 64 years of the late Dorothy Nopar; loving father of Douglas (late Jo Ann Thomas) Nopar and Kenneth (Carolyn) Nopar; adored grandfather of Elizabeth (Sebastian Veloso) Thomas, Sylvia (Fernando Queiroz) Thomas, Katherine Nopar, and Lauren (fiancé James Sullivan) Nopar, and proud great-grandfather of Lucía Jo Veloso; devoted son of the late Benjamin and late Charlotte Nopar; treasured uncle of Elizabeth (Phil Thompson) Kempner, Scott (Caralyn) Kempner, Laura Kempner, and the late Steven Kempner. Richard was the third-generation owner of Edward Fox Photography, at age 25 the youngest person to become a Master of Photography, and a proud Camp Ojibwa camper/counselor/shortstop. Service Tuesday, January 27th, 9:30 a.m. CT at The Chapel, 8851 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie (at Niles Center Rd.). Dick’s service will be livestreamed at www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com Interment Rosehill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Highsight at Highsight.org. For condolence information: The Goldman Funeral Group 847-478-1600
No Pop-Ups
Weekly Digital Edition
Read every story. Skip every pop-up.
Get the full weekly edition delivered to your inbox — no interruptions, no waiting. Just local news the way it was meant to be read.
Only $19.50/year — less than 38¢ a week
Subscribe Now
This is just part of today’s coverage. Get the full story - every article, every ad, every page. Subscribe now.
The Latest From Our Community
by BRIAN NADIG At least nine smash-and-grab-style commercial burglaries in Edgebrook, Jefferson Park and Portage Park were reported to have occurred early Wednesday morning, Oct. 14, in the 16th (Jefferson read story
by BRIAN NADIG Violent offenses reportedly are down 34 percent on the CTA from a year ago as the agency targets a section of the Red Line where criminals are read story
Two men reported that a man fired shots at them at about 12:15 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, in the 5300 block of West Berteau Avenue, according to 16th (Jefferson Park) District police. A 25-year-old man reported that read story
The second annual “Sip and Shop” in “Jeff West” will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, running along Lawrence Avenue from Austin Avenue on the west and Major Avenue read story
by BRIAN NADIG The site of a former auto repair garage at 4301 W. Montrose Ave. would be used for storage and outdoor training for an entertainment-related trade union under read story
Browse by Category
No Pop-Ups
Weekly Digital Edition
Read every story.
Skip every pop-up.
No pop-up ads — ever. Just stories, the way they were meant to be read
Full weekly edition delivered to your inbox every week — no waiting, no missing issues
Support local journalism and help keep our community connected
Only $19.50/year
That's less than 38¢ a week
Purchase Digital Subscription
Paypal
$19.50
/year
You can submit your payment via Paypal with a Credit Card. You DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A PAYPAL ACCOUNT.. Just click the “Paypal Subscribe” button below to iniate your secure payment! You will be directed to a Secure Paypal page in which you can pay with a Paypal account if you have one, or you can select "Pay with Debit or Credit Cardt" option below and process your payment via credit card.
Venmo
$19.50
/year
You can submit payment of $19.50 for a 1 year subscription to Nadig Newspapers' Venmo account using this link. Please include the email address in the comment/note section that you would like the digital subscription sent to.