Marlene Taylor

Richard L. Taylor received a bachelor?s degree in education from Northern Illinois University in June, 1956. While a student at NIU he was hailed as a campus leader. His commitment to service led him to join Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, and formed his humanitarian nature that remained his life-long hallmark.After serving two years in the military, Rich returned to NIU in 1958 where he completed his master?s degree in education two years later. This led to a brief substitute teaching opportunity at Tilden Technical High School. He subsequently moved to Homewood-Flossmoor High School where he taught Architectural Drawing and Drafting before joining the Guidance Department faculty. He was a beloved counselor there for nearly four decades.His accomplishments as an outstanding swimmer while a student at Tilden naturally led into coaching the sport at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Countless swim team members admired him for his mentoring skills.Rich married Marlene Malito, a 1958 NIU graduate, in 1960. Marlene was an outstanding campus leader in her own right, and became a highly regarded elementary teacher upon graduation. They had three children: Lynn Taylor Schwaab, Brad Taylor, and Wendy Taylor Courtney. After completing thirty-four years of teaching, she continued her career in retirement through tutoring students to strengthen their learning skills. Rich died April 23, 2008 after battling pancreatic cancer for eighteen months. This scholarship has been established by friends and family of Rich Taylor to honor his memory and his life?s work.