Richard Roque "Rocky" Softcheck of Joliet (IL) left us too soon, at age 64 on February 8, 2023, after a hard-fought, multi-year battle against a rare nasopharyngeal cancer.

Preserving his treasured independence to the end, he passed peacefully after only two days at Lightways Hospice, with family coming by throughout and his brother Tom at his side.

Rocky received excellent and compassionate care at Lightways, as he had throughout his illness from his physicians and nurses at Joliet Oncology-Hematology Associates. His family is so grateful to them all, and to his sister-in-law Mary Sue whose medical career and knowledge Rocky trusted to help guide his decisions.

His large and loving family deeply grieves his loss but also is deeply grateful for his life, which enhanced all of theirs.

Rocky is survived by siblings Mary Kay Blake of Chapel Hill, NC; Joanne Softcheck of Joliet; John James "MacArthur" Softcheck (Karen) of Beaufort, SC; Barbara Kaplan (Alan) of Delhi, NY; Daniel James Softcheck (Mary Sue) of Joliet; Jeanne Díaz (José) of Gainesville, FL; Thomas Joseph Softcheck of Joliet; Margaret Mary (Mimi) Mawson (Scott) of Bellingham, WA; and Brian Softcheck (Diana) of Camano Island, WA; nieces and nephews John Thomas Softcheck (Katherina "gil"), Jeffrey Robert Softcheck (Theresa), Sean Daniel Softcheck, Suzanne Margaret Softcheck (fiancé Ross Succoso), Patrick Stephen Softcheck, Damon James Softcheck (fiancée Maria Petsch), Brendan Michael Softcheck, Kieran Blake Diaz, Jordan Chase Diaz, Gavin Kai Diaz (Henna), Ryan Thomas Softcheck (Korie Banning), Catherine Haleh Mawson, Theodore "Teddy" David Softcheck, Jack Bain Softcheck and Brian Boru Softcheck; great-nieces and nephews Faith McKenna Softcheck, Rylan Kai Diaz and Emilia Addison Softcheck; his Aunt Joan McManamon and seven McManamon cousins; and many dear friends, especially Paul Harder, who took him to many medical appointments.

Passing before him were his parents John and Kitty Softcheck and his infant sister Jane.

Rocky created so many memories that will be treasured by his family -- especially the vacation he arranged and funded last year at the family's childhood vacation town of Escanaba, MI. He had planned to drive cross-country for a month to visit everyone, but when his health precluded that, he brought everyone to him.

Much like his Dad, Rocky had a quick, dry wit. When his Mother commented that Rocky had his father's sense of humor, Dad replied, "I wondered where it went." That was Rocky, too: a man of few words, but when he did speak you paid attention.

A 1976 graduate of Joliet Catholic High School, he was a scholar athlete who excelled at track.

He also had a brilliant mind.

As a young boy, he read all 26 volumes of the encyclopedia (published in hardcover books in those days). When family would ask what he was reading, he would reply: "Q," or whichever letter he was on.

As a teen, he became a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and learned not only the geography of Middle Earth but the Elvish language created by Tolkien.

As a young man, he turned his inquisitive mind to the then-new field of computers and found his niche. He developed a software program later used by colleges and universities for students' transcripts and worked at the data-processing center at Lewis University for many years.

He later worked as a datacenter technician at the Internet Service Provider ServerCentral (now Deft), choosing the overnight shift so he would be available to help his Dad during the day.

He had a charming smile, an insatiable curiosity that helped educate and enlighten those who knew him, and a tender heart.

He was a loving brother, a loyal friend and a fun uncle who shared his love of fishing with his nephews and nieces and enjoyed creating scavenger hunts for them during family vacations. On those trips he also liked to entertain them with ghost stories around the excellent campfires he would tend.

"The Old Man of Escanaba" was a favorite -- for him and the kids.

A celebration of Rocky's well-lived life will be held later. Per his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded.

Those wishing to commemorate his life with a charitable contribution might contact one he cited as a favorite: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105; www.stjude.org, Or give to a charity of your choice. Or simply do a random act of kindness in memory of a truly kind man.

For more information, please call 815-725-0100 or visit www.farkasfuneralhome.com.