Fink, Richard M. 91 years old, died of Alzheimer's Disease on 7/10/21 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Funeral services will be held at the Adath Jeshurun Synagogue, 10500 Hillside Ln W, Minnetonka, 1:00 PM Monday, July 12. Shiva, Monday, July 12 at 7:00 PM at 555 Oak Ridge Place, Hopkins. Dick was preceded in death by parents, Esther and I.D. Fink; brothers, Stephen and Bobby Fink; son, David Fink; and stepdaughter, Susan Shapiro. He is survived by Beverly Wexler Fink, loving wife of more than 33 years; sister, Sandra Mandel; daughter, Susan Fink; stepchildren, Nina (Russell) Rothman, Paul (Judith Smertenko) Himmelman, Peter (Maria) Himmelman, Peter Shapiro (Debra Krawitz), and grandchildren, Adva, Aria, Solomon, and Zoeyalong with many nieces and nephews. Many thanks to Megan Bartholomew for her loving care. Even with his outsized success in business, Dick remained a humble man of utmost integrity. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Dick continued his studies as a Rhodes Scholar in Oxford, England. After completing three years there, he returned to the U.S. and taught Political Science and Government at Harvard and the University of WisconsinMadison. In 1964 Dick began his career at G&K Services, his family's business. Eschewing a more important starting role at the company, Dick joined G&K Services as a "route man" in a small Minnesota town to learn about the company from the bottom up. Dick's knack for leadership, along with an uncanny acumen for business strategy and tactics, led to his becoming president of the company in 1969, the same year that G&K Services went public. Eight years later, Dick became Chairman of the Board. Dick was active in both The United Way and The Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Service. He and his wife Beverly were strong advocates of education and the arts, supporting The University of Minnesota, as well as The Minnesota State College system. Dick also served on the Board of the Minnesota Orchestra and generously supported the Walker Art Center and the MIA. Throughout his adult life Dick had been a collector of fine artprimarily art of the '50s and '60s. With a terrific eye and indomitable passion, Dick championed a select group of upcoming artists, several of whom later became highly successful. While Dick accomplished more in his lifetime than most people could imagine, to the people closest to him, he was loved for his humility, his thoughtfulness, and his gentle nature. He will be remembered as a quiet man who did so much for so many. In lieu of flowers, preferred donations: Little Hospice Edina, Mazon or Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Published on July 12, 2021