Who is Richard Wanke?
Background:
Richard at the Rockford Food Co-op
Before his arrest in 1991, Richard was a promising creative artist, and curator. He obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking in 1990. He spent a year in Milan Italy studying “old world” printmaking techniques under Italian printmakers. Richard curated or co-curated various local invitational art shows from 1984 – 1989, including Fish-O-Rama, a Frigerator Art show in Chicago, and a 3 Artist show in Steve Pitkin Studios, in Rockford. Below is an example of an art exhibition for Jim Julin and Greg Miller which Richard curated at the Steve Pitkin Studios.
Richard was a co-founder and gallery director in the renovation and establishment of the 317 Market Street Art Gallery in Rockford, and held cataloging and art installation positions with the Logan Museum of Anthropology in Beloit, WI., and the Rockford Art Museum in Rockford. He also assisted in the renovation of the Steve Pitkin Photography Studios in Rockford. He was the site designer for at least five Rockford Art Museum exhibitions and an instructor for the Rockford Park District’s Art-in-The-Parks program. Below are three art exhibitions held at the Rockford Art Museum in the 1980′s, listing Richard Wanke in each art show credits as either the exhibit prepararor or designer. 
Richard was always involved in community projects and helping others. He had been active in helping to promote and set up “On the Waterfront”. After his arrest he continued to participate and promote organizations and activities. A sample of his promotional fliers for two organizations hosting events at “On the Waterfront” follows:
He helped organize and conduct a local “Writer’s Workshop” and theater group. He helped run the Ethnic Heritage Museum in Rockford, and helped out on the “Jazz Society” newsletter among others: He helped organize the local “Computers for Schools” group, and was an active member of the “Stateline Mac User’s Group”. He helped develop expansion at the nonprofit “Peace Store” gift shop and ran it for several years. He was a valuable promoter for the local “Block 5″ festival. He did the layout and design for the 1995 festival: Individuals who have worked with Richard have found him to always be responsible, caring, and willing to offer his time, energy and ideas and never requested compensation. Many local organizations and individuals owe their progress in some measure to some creative idea or suggestion that Richard made.
Richard Wanke & his dad - 2007
HelenaJ said
Wow, I do believe I met this man. I wondered where I had seen him before! It had to of been at the art displays on Market Street, a cozy environment with talent artist’s work displayed! Why do you believe the RPD (Rockford Police Department)targeted him and believe he is an easy target?
Mark said
Richard helped Deborah Newton fix up 317 Market St., and he was all over the art scene late 80′s and early 90′s. If you were there, you were sure to see him.
Tennesseetree said
Richard is articulate. He went on a 70-day hunger strike in 1990 to protest conditions at the old Winn County Jail. He kept popping up in court to defend himself every year since then. He filed a county lawsuit against four officers who he alleges interrogated him using questionable practices in order to elicit a dictated confession they later used against him. He sued Logli and other county politicos, and while he did not pursue any of these lawsuits, these police have shown up at or been involved in initiating every one of his cases since then. Funny, at least one of them was there at the Clark murder scene too.
Cyberman said
This would never have happened under the Tories.
Jane said
Thank you for putting forth an articulate backgroud about Richard. Those who know him will believe the best.
scaryhouse said
From what I remember one of the cops in the original burglary case, where Richard was intimidated into a confession, was a bully who terrorized Richard throughout middle and high school.
That guy was also the lead investigator in the Clark murder.
Too bad the competent investigation of Mr. Clark’s murder was thrown by the wayside in order to finally “win” a decades old feud.
I wish SOMEONE at one of the newspapers would actually get off their duffs and INVESTIGATE this story.
I feel sorry for the Clark family.