Alfred “Fritz” Haas, age 82, passed away Sunday, Jan. 6, at his home in Fort Collins, after a short battle with cancer.
Born and raised in Hays, Kansas, Fritz was the son of Frank and Beatrice Haas, the fifth of seven children. He graduated from Hays High School and shortly thereafter began working at Farmers State Bank in Hays where he met his future wife, Mary Helen Rhoades. After several years in banking Fritz decided to uproot his young family and move nearer to his beloved Rocky Mountains to settle in Fort Collins, where he lived the remainder of his life. His occupations in Fort Collins consisted of operator at the Fort Collins Power Plant on North College Avenue followed by more than 20 years with Colorado State University Facilities Management until his retirement in 1996.
Fritz had an extremely sharp mind and thoroughly enjoyed puzzles, jumbles, and other mentally challenging games. He was known to pull out the dictionary, map, or Hays telephone book from the 1960s to settle a good natured family argument. His obsession with the facts and his dry sense of humor were classic.
A remembrance would not be complete without mentioning his exquisite craft work. He made a multitude of Christmas stockings, needle point projects, and other handicrafts for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His work was beautifully flawless and appreciated by all.
Throughout his life Fritz enjoyed exploring many travel destinations with his family, particularly with his wife following retirement. They traveled both domestically and abroad with repeat visits to their favorite destinations including Branson, Missouri, Hawaii, and Great Britain.
Fritz took great pride in his large family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As his strength began to decline, he was greatly comforted by spending time with his nine grandchildren. He was able to enjoy the fruits of his legacy in the multitude of great-grandchildren who were also regular visitors and knew him very well. All who knew Fritz would agree that he was truly one of a kind. He was his own man – admired, loved, and will be deeply missed.
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ most of his life, Fritz actively served with several churches, most recently Fort Collins Bible Church.
Fritz is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Helen Rhoades; five children, A.J. (Kelly) Haas of Buckeye, John (Christine) Haas of Fort Collins, Brenda (Jim) Hundley of Evans, Lorelei Haas of Fort Collins, and Calvin Haas of Fort Collins; nine grandchildren Lauren, Adam, Jerome, Meagan, Garrett, Hezekiah, Jesse, Jacob, and Gideon; fifteen great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Corinne Glaves of Wichita, Kansas; Vern Haas of Brush; Jeanette Orth of Hays, Kansas, Elaine Wasinger of Laramie, Wyoming, and Jim Haas of Overland Park, Kansas. Fritz was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Frank.
Interment will be held at Roselawn Cemetery in Fort Collins after a private graveside service. A reception will be held 1-3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 11, at Faith Church, 3920 S. Shields St., Fort Collins. Memorial contributions to Pathways Hospice are recommended.
