Ex-Fox Lake mayor helped village grow

A former mayor of Fox Lake, who oversaw some of its major infrastructure improvements during the village's early growth years and helped bring about the annual Fourth of July fireworks, has died.

Richard "Butch" Hamm passed away Saturday after a short illness. The lifelong Fox Lake resident was 67.

Just last year, Mr. Hamm marched with other former mayors in the Celebrate Fox Lake parade during the village's centennial celebration. Mr. Hamm was mayor from 1978 to 1985, after serving as a village trustee from 1971 to 1978.

During Mr. Hamm's years as mayor, colleagues credit him with continuing to install sewers in the village and upgrade its water system, while repaving its streets and installing the first curbs and gutters.

"Once the sewers came, the village started to grow," said Stuart Hoehne, who was public works director under Mr. Hamm. "The lakefront boomed and subdivisions started to develop."

With his background as an accountant, Mr. Hamm worked closely with department heads to oversee the village budget. He also enjoyed representing the village at functions throughout the region.

A favorite appearance, family members said, was one year at the Lake County Fair, when he met comedian Bob Hope.

One of Mr. Hamm's proudest accomplishments as mayor was collaborating with village business leaders to begin the tradition of launching July 4 fireworks over Mineola Bay.

His term as mayor ended abruptly, however, when in 1985 Mr. Hamm was indicted, and he pleaded guilty to bribery charges in connection with a Fox Lake towing contract.

"He was a good guy and made a mistake that no politician should make and he paid dearly for it," said lifelong friend and current Fox Lake Mayor Cindy Irwin.

"But, that was a long time ago and, seriously, it's all been forgiven. I was honored to be the mayor for the centennial and was proud to have him in the parade on the float with all the former Fox Lake mayors. He was really a decent guy and a wonderful friend."

Mr. Hamm grew up in Fox Lake, in a neighborhood that sent several of its residents into public office - including his older brother, Robert, who has served as a Grant Township trustee for 30 years.

Their father, James Hamm, knew many local residents through the tavern business he ran, before opening 3 R's Pier Builders in 1954, named for his three sons, Raymond, Robert and Richard.

"Growing up we were always passing out literature and working as poll watchers," his son, Robert, said. "That's probably where his interest started."

Mr. Hamm graduated from Grant High School in Fox Lake and earned an accounting degree from Rockford College. When he returned home, he worked briefly in the family business before striking out on his own.

For the last 20 years of his life he ran an independent tax accounting service as well as E & R Contractors, which provided dredging services and the installation and removal of lakefront piers.

Mr. Hamm is survived by his children Danette (Brian) Hamm, James (Wanda) Hamm, Richard R. (Rachelle) Hamm and Joy (Darrell) Scherer; 13 grandchildren; and his former wife, Evelyn Peters. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia.

Visitation will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. today before a 10 a.m. funeral service on Thursday, both at K. K. Hamsher Funeral Home, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Road, in Fox Lake.

•Daily Herald staff writer Lee Filas contributed to this report.