The coordinator of Chicago’s annual Pride Parade for more than 40 years has passed away.
Richard William Pfeiffer died Sunday at the age of 70, his husband Tim Frye told told GoPride.com.
Pfeiffer has been an activist in the community for more than 50 years and was named to the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, which also confirmed his passing.
Pfeiffer headed Chicago’s Pride Parade, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary in June.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Richard Pfeiffer’s passing. Richard was a pillar of our community, most notably as the leader of Chicago's Pride Parade,” Equality Illinois said in a statement. “His passing is a profound loss for all of us. We are forever grateful to him.”
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the city’s first openly-gay mayor, praised Pfieffer Monday for his “tremendous contributions” on LGBTQ+ issues and the Pride Parade.
“Most people know him for the Pride Parade, which he literally took on single-handedly without any resources I think 50 years ago, but the truth is he’s done so much more,” she said.
