Richard T. "Dick" Hare

The Family of Richard (“Dick”) T. Hare is mourning his death on November 3, 2014
Dick was born on August 14, 1927. His father was Hubert “Hoot” Hare and his mother was Francis Nelson Hare. He was the eldest of three children, Virginia Mullens Thomas (survived by) and Michael Hare (deceased).

Dick attended RK Welsh Elementary. He received his high school diploma from Rockford West High School in 1945. Dick attended Marquette University where he participated in Navy Reserve Officer Training and earned service entry date to active duty July 2, 1945.

As a Midshipman, Dick was involved in aviation flight training at Corpus Christi, Texas. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy on October 17, 1947.

Dick’s interests included business administration and civil engineering he applied for a sales role with Barber Colman Company’s textile division. His roles included international sales for textile machinery and devoted his career travelling outside of the United States.

On May 9, 1952, Dick married the love of his life, Florence Elizabeth Hare, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. They travelled together for over eleven years building memories living in Bogota and Medallin, Columbia, Sao Palo, Brazil and other South American destinations.

In 1953, they gave birth to their first son, Richard Edward Kelly Hare, and in 1958 was the birth of the second son James Thomas Hare. By 1962, they had decided to purchase property located in the rural area north of Rockford, Illinois that was built by Richard’s father. And in 1963, their third son was born, Patrick Fredricks Hare.

He worked in international sales of textile machinery until 1984 when he retired to stay home and spend time with his grandchildren. He remained active after retirement by first volunteering at Rockford Memorial Hospital as a shuttle driver. His willingness to take odd shifts, knowledge of other languages, and desire to help others earned him a paid role within the volunteer office.

In 2003, Richard was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CCL) yet he never wanted to be defined by his diagnosis. He continued to work at Rockford Memorial Hospital as a greeter in the main lobby. His description of what his role was at the hospital when asked, “I tell others where to go.” He retired from his hospital role July 2013.

Dick is survived by his wife, Florence, three sons and their wives, Kelly and Margaret, James and Dora, and Patrick and Aimee. His grandchildren, Megan and her husband Brad Wesley, Richelle Coleen Hare, Kerry and her husband Ryan Butterworth, Joshua Hare and Dorian Hare. He has one great grandchild, Emerson Wesley the son of Megan and Brad. There are two expected great grandchildren with due dates in December and January. His sister Virginia Mullens and severel nieces and nephews.

His family will have a private ceremony at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, Rockford, IL. . Your thoughts and prayers for the family are welcome. If desired, donations in memory of Richard T. Hare's name to a cancer research program is appreciated https://americancancerfund.org/leukemia/ or to Rockford Memorial Hospital Cancer Center programs through the hospitals development fund. http://www.rockfordhealthsystem.org/rockford-memorial-development-foundation