Richard Hatch Haacke

Richard was born February 26, 1933 in Salt Lake City to parents Alice Hatch and Stanley G. Haacke, joining his sister Betty and brother Lincoln, ten and seven years his senior respectively. His parents provided a loving and devoted childhood, particularly during his month hospitalization and a year-long recovery from a severe bout with polio.

He graduated from Davis High School and spent two years at the University of Utah before serving a two and a half year mission to New Zealand. Upon his return, he married Erin Moss in 1956 before entering the military, serving  in Germany. Upon his discharge, he re-entered the University to earn degrees in History, Educational Psychology and Education Administration. He and Erin had five children (divorced in 1977) who were his pride and joy until his death.

In 1986, he received a bouquet of flowers (in his high school principal's office) with a marriage proposal from Dolores Chase, following her "personal column" ad and a two year courtship. This blossomed into a magical and deeply enriched partnership for over thirty years.

They traveled extensively in the U.S., Canada, the British Isles, Europe, (with a special fondness for Paris), the Greek Islands and the Adriatic, Turkey and the Baltic's, Mexico, Cuba and Hawaii, sometimes with friends the Holts or the Richards.

These were a few of his favorite things: summer fishing at dawn with his long time buddies Dick Lewis and Sheryl Benson and family fishing trips to Flaming Gorge; playing weekly tennis (wicked spin) for over forty years with his school district friends; enjoying the ocean at Fort Bragg, Laguna Beach, or the San Francisco wharf; seeing the weather develop and the remarkable sunsets from their high rise condo; reading more than a book a week (from David McCullough to John Grisham); attending to his duplex garden growing legendary tomatoes, but taking equal time to read and watch visiting hummingbirds.

He is survived by his dearly loved children whose solicitous concern and love he reciprocated in full measure: Margaret Haacke, Stan (Shauna) Haacke, Charlie (Dona) Haacke, Danielle (Mitch Hood), Gaylene (Bruce Jensen), nine grandchildren and seven greats and Dolores' children Marcelyn Ritchie (Keith Bartholomew) and Marc Coles-Ritchie (Marilee) and Dolores' three grandchildren.

Survived also by his wife Dolores Chase, friend and adoring partner. She will deeply miss his sweet spirit, wit and wisdom, morning coffee and conversation over the day's news, and being cradled in his recliner at day's end.

He was admired and loved by friends and former educators in the Granite School District where he served over thirty years as history teacher, psychology counselor, and Principal on several levels.

Richard has requested cremation and no public funeral.