Dennert “Denny” O. Ware of San Antonio, Texas, died Sunday, February 11, 2023, surrounded by his family. Born in 1941 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he was the son of Harris and Marion Ware. In 1964, he married the love of his life, Lillian Suzanne Espy. Together, they raised six children. His nine grandchildren lovingly referred to him as “Opa.”
A man of character and integrity, he was a force to be reckoned with. He spent the vast majority of his life trying to improve outcomes for others, professionally, in the medical device arena, and personally, through volunteer activities. As the President and CEO of three different companies: Kinetic Concepts, Inc., Boehringer Mannheim Corp., and Roche Diagnostics Corp., as well as Chairman of the Board or on executive leadership committees for several innovative medical start-ups, he focused on improving patient outcomes and enhancing the way medicine was practiced.
As a philanthropist, Denny focused on developing the next generation through capital campaign leadership, advisory positions, and investments in public service and educational organizations such as Christel House, Haven For Hope, the Mackinac Arts Council, The Boy Scouts of America, the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University, UTSA, and St. Mary’s University.
He garnered prestigious recognitions for his accomplishments from leading organizations. In 2005, he was named “Medical Device Chief Executive Officer of the Year” by Frost and Sullivan. In 2006, Ernst and Young named him Houston and Gulf Coast’s “Entrepreneur of the Year”. In 2016, he was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame.
In retirement, he fell in love with historic Mackinac Island, Michigan, where he purchased his first business, Mission Point Resort. Through his leadership, the resort and his team have won national awards and accolades. The Michigan Historic Preservation Network bestowed the Excellence in Historic Building Renovation Award in 2023 for his work on Silver Birches Lodge. To him, the island was a cherished adventure, where he enjoyed integrating himself into the fabric of the community.
Denny was a man always on the go. In addition to his strong work ethic, he enjoyed being around family and friends, traveling, entertaining, boating, cooking, drinking good coffee and sharing great meals. Most meals were perhaps “the best he had ever had,” leaving his children laughing because for him, it was true.
He is survived by his children: Elizabeth Ware, Dennert O. Ware Jr. (Myrna), Kathryn Conner (Ty), Sarah Fielden (Clint), Mark Ware; daughter-in-law; Ami Martin; grandchildren: Dennert Oliver Ware, III, Lillian Patricia Ware, Mark Harris Ware, William Sullivan Ware, Isaac Britt Conner, Jack Sutton Whittemore, Lucy Kathryn Whittemore, Mary Grace Whittemore, and Benjamin Tyler Conner.
He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Brant, Margaret Rives, and Kathryn Fell. He is predeceased by his wife, Suzanne Ware, and his son, Andrew Sutton.
The viewing will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:30 pm at Porter Loring McCullough. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 1:30 pm at St Joseph's Catholic Church Downtown.
Graveside service will take place on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 11:00 am, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on Mackinac Island on Monday, June 17, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Silver Birches.
The family would like to express gratitude to the tremendous care team at MD Anderson. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Denny’s favorite charities, Christel House International www.christelhouse.org, Haven For Hope https://www.havenforhope.org, and the Mackinac Arts Council https://www.mackinacartscouncil.org.
