Richard Mochel Named SBCO Receptionist of the Year | Community

Each year SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) recognizes the special efforts of one the receptionists working in our office. Richard (Dick) Mochel has been honored as our Receptionist of Year for 2025-26. Dick and Pat, his wife of 59 years, started snow birding in Arizona in 1999, but did not make a permanent move to SaddleBrooke until 2019. Up until then and with the exception of his military service, Richard lived his entire life in Downers Grove, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. After graduation from high school, he attended the University of Illinois, graduating with a finance degree in 1963.

Dick left Downers Grove for military service from 1964-66. He was stationed in the military intelligence unit in Frankfurt, Germany. He claims that his job was limited to issuing paychecks to the employees, but who knows? Happy to return to his hometown after his tour of duty ended, he was even happier when his brother introduced him to his nephew’s cute fifth-grade teacher, Pat!

After returning to Downers Grove and marrying Pat, the couple had two children, Kimberly and David, followed by four grandsons. In addition to his business (he was an Independent insurance agent) and his busy life as a husband and father, he was involved with the Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club for over 50 years. After he retired, he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Samaritan’s Purse (the latter charity had him travelling to various disaster sites to help in rebuilding projects.

Dick now serves as a receptionist at the SBCO office on an as-needed basis. Barb Nicolich assigns the twenty or so volunteers on the Receptionist Committee to serve as receptionists. Dick also serves on the SBCO Enrichment Committee and has been a volunteer for 22 years at the Golden Goose.

As if this wasn’t enough, Dick also serves as an AARP certified tax aide. The program requires him to take yearly classes, followed by four exams to test his knowledge and proficiency. During tax season, Dick provides free assistance to low-income and elderly filers three days a week.

When not volunteering, Dick enjoys golf, bridge, and singing in the church choir.

Dick enjoys his volunteer work and is so grateful to be able to give back to others. He often feels that he gets back more than he gives!