Richard Werle

Richard Joseph Werle celebrated his 85th birthday earlier this year.  He passed peacefully listening to classical music with his wife of almost 60 years on Monday, August 25, 2025. He was predeceased by his older brother, Bob, in 2023 and missed their frequent conversations greatly.

A Veteran, Richard was assigned to an Army artillery division in Korea in 1965.  However, he purposely worked his way into the Special Service Entertainment Corps.  There he served his tour of duty and eventually met his future wife, HongJa Gee, in Seoul. A photographer, he documented their early relationship with the joy, humor and love they shared for the rest of their days together.  

In the course of his life, he worked as a paperboy, lifeguard, cab driver, pork rind factory worker, security guard, door to door typewriter salesman, soldier, actor, singer, commercial photographer, gallery artist and perhaps most importantly, a teacher in Chicago Public Schools.  He taught a breadth of subjects with a love of history and literature, but it was his special needs and most at-risk students who inspired him.  

It was with this same empathy that he and his wife continually opened their home to those in need.  They supported his wife’s family in Seoul to immigrate to the US where they have been a thriving part of the Chicago Korean-American community for over half a century.  However, for them everyone was an extended family.  He embraced the tenets of Buddhism, frequently practicing meditation, was humble, spiritual, and wise.  He lived joyfully by unconditionally loving and giving.  Their generosity was their greatest legacy.  

Richard is survived by his wife, Hong Ja Werle, sons Brian and Mark, and grandchildren Katy, Emma and Kyle.  They welcome attendance at his upcoming memorial, the time and date of which will be announced in September. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to his favorite broadcasts, NPR, PBS, and Democracy Now or to support his wife, who currently has advanced dementia.