Richard J. Ware

Richard James Ware, son of the late James Melvin Ware and Melva (Faulhaber) Margaret Ware was born in Muscatine, Iowa. 

Dick graduated from Muscatine High School in 1955 where his love of all sports was solidified playing baseball and basketball. The highlight reel of Dick’s athletic career began in high school with back to back conference titles in basketball for the Muscatine Muskies. The 1954 team was crowned Iowa State Champs, a memory for the ages. Highly competitive Dick continued his athletic career at Muscatine Jr. College where he and his teammates won yet another state championship and he was named All-State. Dick went on to Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa to earn his degree in teaching mathematics graduating in 1959. During his studies he played baseball for ISTC where his team went on to the NCAA College World Series, with one game away from playing for the National Championship. His athletic career through high school and college, the teammates and coaches that surrounded him for success, grounded him in his approach to become the coach, mentor, and friend he is to so many. Always humble and a matter of fact, he also gives luck a lot of credit to his athletic success. 

During Dick’s senior year at Iowa State Teachers College he met his future wife, Betty Hammer, during a snowball fight on the commons. He spotted her because she could throw like a guy. Their courtship was short, but they had a life with each other for 66 years. Dick and Betty left the midwest for only a year while he earned his Master of Mathematics from the University of South Carolina. Most of their 66 years were spent together on Kemman Avenue in La Grange Park, Illinois, raising a family, teaching and coaching at Riverside Brookfield High School, playing bridge, bowling, and of course fishing. 

 For as much as Richard was an athlete, sports historian, and fan, his love of fishing with his family and truly the best friends a man could be so lucky to have, beats all. A fanatic fisherman from the beginning with his father, brother and uncle on the Mississippi River, to being fortunate to have a wife who loved to fish, to his last trip to Canada with the dearest of friends from RB and the RB Fishing Club, Dick knew he had it made. 

Richard’s wonderful life will long be cherished in the lives of his family and friends. He will be remembered for his constant concern for others, dedication to family, sense of fair play, a mentor to many and living by the golden rule. 

Richard leaves us as the beloved husband of Betty Lou Ware, nee Hammer; fond father of Wendy (John) Polisini and James (Jennifer) Ware; dear grandfather of Jack (Alex) Polisini, Samuel Polisini, Joshua Ware and Korissa Ware; great grandfather of Murphy Polisini and Quinn Polisini;  brother of the late Edward (Deanna) Ware and Judith (the late William) Evans.   

Richard James Ware passed peacefully on January 22, 2026 at the age of 89. The family expresses sincere gratitude for the help and care given by the staff at Aspired Living of La Grange and services from Family Paramount Hospice. 

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513.

Interment Private.  

Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com

For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please click on the Guestbook and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a Sympathy Card to the Family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o the Richard Ware Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.