Beloved Chicago bookstore manager dies in south suburban crash: 'nearly impossible to to go on'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A beloved Chicago bookstore is mourning the sudden loss of a longtime employee.

His colleagues say he played a vital role in the store's success for nearly a decade.

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Rich Wojcikowski, 57, of Park Forest was killed Friday in a car crash on Governors Highway, north of University Parkway in University Park, according to Bookie's Chicago owner Keith Lewis and the Will County Coroner's Office. Wojcikowski leaves behind a wife, three children and a community that Lewis said will deeply feel his absence.

Lewis described Wojcikowski as the backbone of the West Beverly bookstore, saying his influence extended far beyond the shop's walls.

"It's going to be nearly impossible to to go on without him," Lewis said.

According to Lewis, Wojcikowski's work touched nearly every aspect of the business. He helped build storage and other fixtures in the bookstore and managed day-to-day operations.

"He built things in the backroom. He built storage," Lewis said. "He was the manager of the employees. He was the manager of the store. He was the manager of everything. Every aspect he had handled."

In addition to overseeing operations, Wojcikowski represented the bookstore throughout the community, attending school book fairs, delivering checks and hand-delivering books to customers.

"The schools are going to miss him. The community is going to miss him. The vendors are going to miss him. The people that he dealt with at the bank are going to miss him," Lewis said.

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Lewis said Wojcikowski was killed shortly before 1 p.m. Friday in a car crash in the south suburbs.

He credited Wojcikowski with helping make the bookstore successful, describing him as "the yin to my yang."

"He was genuine. He was real. He was capable. He was the most professional and most organized person I have ever known," Lewis said.

Lewis said Wojcikowski's reliability allowed him to return to teaching English to high school students while continuing to operate the bookstore.

Now, Lewis said, he is trying to determine how to move forward without his longtime friend and colleague.

"Going forward is I'm going to have to find a way to channel my inner Rich," Lewis said.

Despite the loss, Lewis said he remains grateful for the years they worked together.

"I truly wish a Rich on every business that deserves one," Lewis said.

When Bookie's Chicago reopens, Lewis said the store plans to make a memorial book available for community members to sign or leave notes about Wojcikowski. The book will then be given to his family.