Randolph “Randy” Blecha, 72, of Geneseo, passed away in Geneseo, IL. Thursday, February 11, 2021. Cremation rites have been accorded and no services will be held. A Celebration of Life will be planned in the future and Randy’s remains will be placed at Bohemian National Cemetery, Chicago, IL. Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory - Geneseo Chapel is assisting with the arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the Geneseo Humane Society – Randolph Blecha Memorial Fund.
Randy was born on November 12, 1948, the son of Rudolph and Bessie (Bouse) Blecha, in Chicago, IL. He graduated college from Eastern Illinois University, where he was a proud member of the football team and a starting offensive lineman. Randy began his teaching career at Rock Falls High School as a teacher and a coach. He served as a dean at Rock Island High School for three years. He then became the principal at Raymond High School, located in Raymond, IL, the one year at Polo High School, Polo, IL, and then returned to Geneseo High School as an administrator and teacher. Randy was employed as a teacher at Geneseo High School for many years. As a teacher, he always seemed to find the absolute best in each one of his students. He truly tried to change the world for the better, one student at a time. Those who were fortunate to meet and become friends with Randy had a friend for life. But mostly Randy will be remembered, and greatly missed, for the insightful intellect, his continuous and contagious sense of humor, his quick wit, and his uncanny ability to infuse the words “extrapolate” and “disaggregate” into almost any conversation.
Randy was a proud member of the National Education Association, AARP, Illinois Principals Association, Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Kiwanis, Rotary, Black Hawk Chapter IPA, and Black Hawk IRTA. He also enjoyed gambling in his free time.
Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Catherine Tabor, Denison, TX; brothers, Jim (Marge) Blecha, Glen Ellyn, IL, and Paul (Lisa) Blecha, Indianapolis, IN; several nieces and nephews, Michelle, Jason, Jeff, Kevin, Erin, and Matt; and special friends Bill (Debbie) Burrus, Moline IL; extended family members, Krista (Jim) Bagley, Kim Thome (Bruce Willett), and Wendy (Rodney) Swanson.
He was preceded in death by his longtime companion and the love of his life, Judy Thome, and his parents, Rudolph and Bessie Blecha.