Richard Wardell

Richard "Dick" Wardell was born August 13, 1927 in Oslo, MN to parents, Irving and Dorothy Wardell. The family moved to Freeport, IL, where he grew up. While in high school, Dick lettered in football and basketball. After graduation, he joined the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946. He want to college at Cornell College (Iowa), where he met Betty Lou Riley whom he married in 1952. After graduating, Dick went to work for Bacardi Rum Corp. He and Betty Lou live in eight different cities until arriving in Miami, FL, in 1964. After nine years, he was promoted to vice president. At age 55, Dick resigned and became the president of the James Beam Import Co. (a division of Jim Beam). Three years later, he retired and invested in two MIDAS franchises in Santa Cruz, CA with his son Brian, selling them in 1992.

Dick and Betty Lou moved to Tucson, AZ, in "full" retirement and later, moved to Prescott, AZ, where Dick would play golf three times a week. Betty Lou passed in 2007, and, two years later, Dick reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Fran Bliss of Scottsdale, AZ. They were married in 2010. Dick and Fran traveled frequently, attending family and high school reunions. Fran passed away in 2021. Dick continued to play golf and worked at the McCormick Ranch Golf Course until 2022.

Dick and Betty Lou had two sons, Jay and Brian (Scottsdale, AZ). He was preceded in death by wives, Betty Lou and Fran, and son, Jay.