It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Carl Richard Antonson, 84.

Richard was the oldest of three sons of the late Carl Leonard and Carmen Freund Antonson. His youngest brother, Michael (Laura) pre-deceased him in 2013. Richard was born on October 31,1941 in Waukegan, Illinois and passed away in hospice care at his daughter’s home in Newberry, South Carolina on September 2, 2026.

Richard graduated top of his class and attended Notre Dame College where he completed his undergraduate work in chemical engineering. While Richard was attending Northwestern University for his Master’s degree and Doctorate, he married his high school sweetheart, Judy Phannenstill. Richard’s lifelong love of the Fighting Irish was known by every person lucky enough to meet him.

He spent his entire working career with Dupont, treating coworkers like friends, and friends like family. His retirement party in 1994 was put on by his coworkers who called him a great friend and mentor.

Richard’s love of the outdoors is best exemplified by the annual canoe trip he began while in high school and continued for next 50 years. After moving to South Carolina, he handed the trip to his beloved niece, Allison Petra.

He also loved camping, square dancing, tennis, hiking, pickleball and scuba diving but road biking was his personal favorite. Richard traveled the world for his work and was able to bike in multiple countries. As an avid rider, Richard pedaled the equivalent to circling the world twice-over 60,000 miles.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Judy Phannenstill Antonson, his brother Thomas Freund Antonson (Judi), his three children, Lorie Lynn Graham (Donald), Carl Thomas Antonson and Brian Michael Antonson (Mary), and his four grandchildren, Margaret Lynn Hudson (Clint), Kyle Patrick Graham, Autumn Celeste Antonson, and Jonah Dylan Carl Antonson.

He will be greatly missed and forever remembered.