Richard John Mihelcic's Obituary
Richard Mihelcic, 71, of Rehoboth Beach passed away at Delaware Hospice’s Milford facility on March 18, 2018. He was born August 23, 1946 in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of the late Eleanor (Happe) Mihelcic and John Mihelcic.
Mr. Mihelcic was raised in Pittsburgh and was a 1964 graduate of Perry Traditional Academy and a 1968 graduate of Penn State University. He was drafted out of Georgetown Law School in Washington, D.C. in 1968 during the Vietnam War. He was assigned to serve in West Germany as a Legal Clerk of Court Martials. During a 12-month period he received four promotions up to equivalent to Sergeant, the last coming in recognition of his competing for, and winning, “Soldier of the Month” for Germany in June 1969. He was always very proud of his military service. He received an early discharge in order to complete his legal studies at Georgetown in the fall of 1970. After receiving his Juris Doctor Degree in Law in 1973 he subsequently completed the necessary coursework for a Masters of Law Degree in Taxation.
After graduation and some clerking experience, Mr. Mihelcic began working as a staff attorney for the Office of Chief Counsel at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He loved litigation and became recognized for his expertise in a number of areas of the law. He was promoted to the supervisory ranks in 1979 and became a Senior Executive in 1985 when he was appointed by the Treasury Department as National Director of Operations for the Office of Chief Counsel, IRS. During the period 1979-1985 he was frequently asked to make technical presentations at national conferences both within and outside of the government. In 1987, he was elevated to the top level of service executives by the Secretary of Treasury when he was asked to assume responsibility for all of the Management programs, and specific legal programs, by becoming the Associate Chief Counsel, Finance and Management, a position he held until his retirement in 2004. His record is one that reflects recognition by all higher levels of the Federal Government. He received a Presidential Award from President George H.W. Bush in 1991 for successfully automating the Office of Chief Counsel and introducing and measuring computers as productivity tools in the 1980s. He received a “Hammer” award from Vice President Al Gore in 1998 for successfully instituting new ways to hire attorneys at higher than minimum grade. During the 1990’s and until his retirement he received recognition from Treasury Secretaries Baker and Brady, various Commissioners of the IRS, and all Chief Counsels with whom he served.
In retirement, Mr. Mihelcic got involved with a substantial amount of volunteer work, most notably as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children in Sussex County. He also assisted the American Cancer Society by personally providing long distance transportation for cancer patients requiring specialized treatment not available locally.
He enjoyed riding his bicycle daily until late 2008 when he was diagnosed with a rare leukemia for which no cure or remission was found.
He served as president of his condominium association for four years during his illness and successfully managed to see to completion a multi-year litigation and related construction project, which involved millions of dollars and hundreds of hours of work. It was a blessing in that it allowed him to focus on something other than his illness.
Mr. Mihelcic wanted his heartfelt thanks to be extended to the wonderful people who work or provide volunteer services at Tunnell Cancer Center. Especially noteworthy are the good people who work with the infusion center and related activities. Not only are they all highly competent and professional, they are also gracious, friendly, warm, and sometimes even entertaining. They made a long eight-year battle more tolerable. They are truly an asset to our community.
Mr. Mihelcic was preceded in death by one of his twin sons, Mathew John Mihelcic; a sister who died at age seven, Linda Jean Mihelcic; and within the last 5 years, by both of his aforementioned parents.
He is survived by his other son, Mark Joseph Mihelcic of Houston, Texas and Mark’s wife Eunmie and grandson Solomon; his daughter Linda Mihelcic Rutledge, her husband Teelo and granddaughter Madeline and grandson T.J. He is also survived by his sister Sandra (Mihelcic) Mueller, her husband Horst and nephew David and his wife Tina.
Pursuant to Mr. Mihelcic’s wishes, all services are private and handled by invitation of his family.
Please sign the online guestbook located on this site.
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