Bob Ware, 1942-2009
Larry Statham: Bob Ware was the first person I met when I moved from Oklahoma to Wichita in January, 1955. My family lived on 17th Street, directly across from the cinder track of the college which would become Wichita State. Knowing no one, I walked across the street to check it out because I had run track in Oklahoma. There I met a group of guys about my age. They were engaged in their Track and Field Meet. Bob I remember well as the leader/spokesman for the group. At age 13, he was already pole vaulting and middle distance running. John Deardorff was there also. They greeted me, and I quickly became “Okie” because I’m certain my voice betrayed my background. I attended Matthewson in 7th and 8th grades and ran track with Bob. We moved after that, and I attended 9th grade at Robinson, where I joined the track team and met Greg Long.
When at East, Bob and I became good friends and were team members on the cross-country, swim, and track teams. (Editor: Photo at right shows Bob with his All-American Miler trophy.)
Our lives were to intersect again. In later life meanderings, Bob and Rick Mittlestadt were sailing and skiing together at Lake Tahoe when I was the Control Tower Chief at the resort airport. Bob was a ski instructor, known locally as “B.WARE”. Shortly afterward, he moved to Sun Valley and led their ski patrol until he decided to try sailing. He had visited me in Las Vegas briefly before moving to the Bahamas for his work in sailing vessels. Shortly before his untimely death, he called me in San Diego to relate stories of his new position as First Mate on W.N. Ragland, a 101 ft. Baltic trading schooner, the private yacht of singer/song-writer Neil Young. He had been able to take it safely to port after a storm in 2012 that had dismasted the boat. But, his big news was that he was in love and planning his wedding at a rural farm in Kansas. I think he knew already that his life was to be cut short by cancer. He was truly an adventurer. Rest in peace, Bob Ware.
Obituary
Robert E. Ware (Bob, B.Ware), 66, died peacefully Friday, Oct 2, 2009. Bob was an inspiration to all who knew him. In high school he was a state champion swimmer, miler and cross country runner. He was a dedicated ski patrolman in Colorado and Idaho, flew hang gliders, rafted whitewater and fished glacier pools. B.Ware sailed the sunny Caribbean waters for 15 yrs. He was thrilled to become a newlywed in June, 2009. Bob was preceded in death by his father, Edward Ware and brother, David. He is survived by his wife, Diane Hawthorne; mother, Elma Ware; siblings, Raymond, Mary Seiwert, John and Kathryn, extended family, and a huge global family of true friends. A memorial is being planned. All are invited. Call Kathryn:316-737-2360.
Editor’s Note: Please share your memories of Bob by leaving a comment in the comment box below.
It is so pleasing to read about Bob again. He was a truly adventuresome friend. I cannot remember the reason why Bob could not take part in a Kansas City swim meet, but he wanted to see it. So did I. We both cut class and I drove us to Kansas City to see the meet and then stayed at my brother’s place and returned to Wichita on Saturday. Bob was a very cheerful sort and a good friend. It was the first time I ever cut classes to “go on a lark.” Fortunately my parents supported occasional “breaks” from academics as part of growing up! Seems like Bob had a life full of adventure. Lucky guy!