Dennis Hare

Dennis Hare August 29, 1946 - March 10, 2024

Dennis Hare, former San Diego State University men's volleyball star, multi-sport athlete, and renowned artist, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones. Dennis suffered from Parkinson's Disease. He was an exceptional athlete throughout his high school and college years. In the early 70s, he was one of the pioneers spearheading the growth of highly competitive and professional beach volleyball in San Diego County. In 1981, Dennis authored the classic 'The Art of Beach Volleyball,' the first book on the subject.

Dennis's early athletic accomplishments include years of exceptional baseball and basketball at Yucaipa High School and San Bernardino Valley College in the early 60s. Dennis was All CIF first team in basketball in 1964 and was an All-American Honorable Mention and MVP of the Desert Valley League. After playing baseball his freshman year, he played indoor volleyball at SDSU in 68-'69. Beach volleyball became his passion; Dennis won numerous open beach volleyball tournaments in the '70s. In 1974, Hare and partner Fred Zuelich, an SDSU men's volleyball player in the early 70's, won the first-ever World Beach Volleyball Championship held in the San Diego Sports Arena before 10,000 fans. In the finals, Hare and Zuelich defeated highly acclaimed HOF players Ron Von Hagen and Matt Gage. Dennis was inducted into the Southern California Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2006.

As important and significant as his athletic career was, Hare spent the last 40 years of his life tirelessly pursuing excellence as an artist. Dennis exhibited a talent for art as a child and won many awards. He was taught by his grandfather, Oliver Hare, a successful artist, and maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Harlan, an accomplished artist. His textured canvases depict a unique passion for human connectedness and reflect his travels and culture-seeking in Europe and Mexico. He was well-known for depicting people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Bright colors and communal group scenes ran throughout his work, and beach and coastal light became a favorite motif. Dennis quickly received recognition for his artistic talent. He had over 60 solo shows and numerous museum shows. He was represented by well-known gallerists in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Carmel. His work is in many private collections and museums, including the Crocker Museum, Laguna Art Museum, UCI Institute and Museum of California Art, and Oakland Museum of Art.

Within miles of his hometown, Yucaipa, California, Dennis recreated a home, natural gardens, and art studio 28 years ago. In Dennis's words. . . "There is no place I would rather be." It was his sanctuary.

Dennis was preceded in death by his father, Frederick Hare, mother, Arline Harlan Hare, sister Katherine "Kathy" McPherson, and nephew, Douglas McPherson. Dennis is survived by his wife, Barbara, stepdaughter Erin Maron, niece, Krista McPherson, grandnieces Haley McPherson and Hannah McPherson Rose, and husband Brandon Rose, brother-in-law Steve McPherson, his wife LeeAnn, cousin Nancy Chavez, and husband Ernie.

Dennis was known by many for his enthusiasm, generosity, hard work, and joyous spirit. He will be greatly missed.