Overview

Richard Earl "Dick" Locher (June 4, 1929 – August 6, 2017) was an American editorial cartoonist whose work appeared in newspapers and magazines for decades. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, and became widely known for incisive political cartoons, clear line work, and an ability to distill complex issues into memorable images.

Career and style

Locher's career blended staff work, syndicated strips and freelance assignments. He is best remembered for his long association with the Chicago Tribune, where his editorial cartoons reached a broad readership. His style favored recognizable caricature, economical composition and topical satire that addressed national politics, policy debates and cultural trends.

Publications and notable assignments

Beyond single-panel editorials, Locher also contributed to comic-strip storytelling and other illustrated projects. His cartoons were used to summarize debates and to communicate opinion to readers who relied on visual commentary alongside written journalism.

Recognition and influence

Locher received professional recognition for his editorial work, including major awards that acknowledged his impact on public discourse and journalistic cartooning. His cartoons were often reprinted, cited in debates and preserved as part of the record of late 20th-century American politics. He also worked on popular comic features, contributing to the continuing life of serialized newspaper art.

Later life and legacy

Richard Locher died on August 6, 2017, in Naperville, Illinois, at the age of 88. His death followed complications from Parkinson's disease. Locher's body of work is remembered for its blend of artistic skill and civic engagement, and his cartoons remain a reference point for students of political art and newspaper history.

For readers seeking primary examples of his work, his cartoons are available through the archives of major outlets and collections that preserve editorial art and comic strips from the period.