THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Randy graduated from Kelley High School and worked in the 1970s and late 1980s in accounts receivables at Bradley Supply, a plumbing and pipe supply company, and at Robert White, a payroll service firm. But his real career and personal interests centered on fashion and the arts. He trained as a hair stylist at Midstate Beauty School and worked at his own salons in Chicago and at Whistles on Michigan Avenue. He was also a self-taught weaver, with a certificate in Fiber Art from the Taos Art School in New Mexico. From 1996 to 2001 he taught weaving at the Textile Arts Center, where he exhibited wall-hangings, rugs, scarves and other forms of fiber art. His own work is characterized by its use of warm reds and browns or sharper blues and greens in geometric designs, borrowing from Middle Eastern and Native American traditions. At various times, Randy also took up basket-weaving, pottery, silk-screening and needle-point and, even though his own hearing was fine, he studied American Sign Language at the Career Colleges in Chicago and was a proficient signer. But what made Randy special was his patient willingness to 'be there' for others—to listen as a good hair stylist, to work out billing problems with customers, to lend an ear and supportive shoulder to friends and family, complaining about their long days or bragging about their successes.

Randy dealt with AIDS for a number of years, and in the end, he died as he wanted, at home with those who loved him and will never forget him. At Randy's request, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Greater Chicagoland Food Depository, P.O. Box 5092, Chicago, 60680-5092. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Illinois, ( 773 ) 281-5058.