Richard J. Hauser

June 5, 1932 - June 17, 2021

Richard "Dick" Jerome Hauser, Sr, 89, peacefully passed away on June 17, 2021, in Freeport, IL, surrounded by his family. Richard was born on June 5, 1932, in Burlington, IA, son of Herbert and Loretta (Walz) Hauser. He was the fifth of seven children. Surviving siblings include Paula Fargen of Louisville, KY, Donald Hauser of Des Moines, IA, Carolyn Hauser of Burlington, IA, and sister-in-law, Ann Hauser of Waterloo, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, Bertrand and Dorella Robinson, brothers, Herbert, Jr. and John Hauser, and a sister, Joanne Cline Nicassio, as well as in-laws, Jerome Fargen, Jack Cline, Paul Nicassio, Rose Hauser, and Colleen Hauser. Dick graduated from Burlington Catholic High School in Burlington, IA. He earned an associate's degree from Southeastern Community College in Burlington and was then drafted into the US Army during the Korean War. On June 23, 1953, Dick married the love of his life, Mary Lee Robinson. Dick and Mary moved to Fort Monmouth, NJ, where Dick was stationed, earning certificates from the Signal Corp in radar technology. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Dick completed his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Iowa, where he became a proud Hawkeye fan. Richard and Mary then moved to Freeport, IL, in 1957, where Dick took a job with Micro Switch in the Design Engineering Department. He enjoyed a successful career with Micro Switch, and then Honeywell, until he retired in 1992. One of his many projects included creating switches for NASA that were used in the rockets for the Apollo space missions. Dick was also very involved with his church, St. Thomas Aquinas. Committees and roles that he served in over the years included the building and grounds group, the funeral choir, adult choir, sacristan for chapel Masses and funeral Masses, lector, extraordinary minister, a devoted member of Perpetual Adoration and a Sunday morning greeter. Richard's pride and joy was his family, which, in addition to his wife, consists of six children, 22 grandchildren and an ever growing number of great-grandchildren. He enjoyed watching his children grow up at his house on Stephenson Street, and then hosting many family gatherings with his grandkids. He was known for teaching his grandchildren how to use his tools on various projects in his basement workshop. He was often seen at his grandchildren's sporting events over the years, whether it was Pearl City, Aquin, Freeport or Dakota, as well as attending any service where his grandchildren or great-grandchildren were receiving a Sacrament, whether it was a Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation or the Rite of Marriage. Other survivors include his wife, Mary, of almost 68 years, children Michele "Micky" Weber, Kay (Paul) Temple, Richard (Lynn Feiner) Hauser Jr, James (Shannon Weis) Hauser, Sarah (Russ) Hasken and Andrea (David) Sutherland. His grandchildren and great-children include: Jennifer (Pete) Van Horn and Zachary; David (Leanne) Weber and Delaney, Bryce and Finley; Karrie (Marcos) Leza and Arthur and Kora; Mark (Bree) Temple and Declan; Andrew (Jill) Temple and Joshua, Nathan and Abigail; Kathryn (Tyler) Dunkel; Rich (Lu) Hauser and Angela; Matthew, Steven, Robyn and Leah Hauser; Thomas Hauser, JT (Ashley) Hauser and Paisley, Jamie and Harvey; Daniel Hauser, Elizabeth (Adam) Young and Hallie; Rachel Hauser; Erica, Allison and Madeline Hasken; Grace, Lauryn and Ava Sutherland. Dick is also survived by many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 24th, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church from 3-7pm, with the Rosary being recited at 2:30pm. A funeral Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church will be on Friday, June 25th, at 10:00am, with a visitation beforehand at 9:00am. Memorials have been established in memory of Dick for Aquin Catholic Schools and St. Thomas Aquinas Church. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you for the care their father received at FHN Hospital and from FHS Hospice. Please sign his guestbook and share a remembrance at www.burketubbs.com