Robert Dean Haas

Robert was born March 9, 1928, and graduated from Strasburg High in 1946. On June 12, 1946, he raised his hand to serve his county in the United States Army. He was assigned to a detachment of high-frequency radio transmission station from the Pentagon to Fort Monroe, VA.

After this enlistment, he attended the University of Akron and enrolled in the ROTC program. He graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. On December 2, 1951, he was called from inactive duty to active duty and was deployed to Korea where he commanded a 60-man infantry platoon on the Main Line of Resistance. On July 6, 1953, he was honorably discharged with the rank of 1st Lieutenant and awarded the National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star); United Nations Korean Service Medal; Republic of Korea War Service Medal; Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman's Badge.

On January 1, 1957, he joined the US Army Reserves, serving as commander of the 308th Engineer Battalion. In 1966 he was promoted to Major, where he served as Liaison Officer at West Point Military Academy. One of his biggest thrills came when three Massillon boys were admitted to the academy in the same year. In 1975 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. In 1979 (due to age restrictions) he retired Regular Army and USAR.

Not being one to rest after retirement, in 1983 he joined the Ohio Military Reserves. The State of Ohio Adjutant General's Department appointed him Commander (OHMR) on September 23, 1993. On January 29, 1996, Bob received an Honorable Retirement from the Ohio Military Reserve at the rank of Major General.

After returning to the civilian sector in 1954, he took on the adventure of a 7th grade teacher and coach with the Strasburg Schools. Shortly thereafter, he began teaching Algebra in Massillon at Jones Junior High School and coached Football, Basketball, and Track. In 1959, he was hired as Principal for Whittier

School. He would gather students and staff at the flagpole in the mornings before school to render respect to our county and lead them in the Pledge of Allegiance. Teaching was a labor of love for Bob.

He cared about the well-being of his students and athletes. They knew they could go to him with problems or concerns, and he would listen and counsel or lend a helping hand. In 1974 he was promoted to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Massillon City Schools where he served until 1985.

Bob's second career was Director of Small Company plans at Central Reserve Life Insurance Company. A position he enjoyed and worked for 10 years, allowing Bonnie and him the opportunity to travel. They loved Hawaii and Colorado where he took up skiing at 63.

Bob was very involved in the community and one of his proudest moments was when he assisted Mayor Catazaro-Perry in helping Massillon become a Purple Heart City. He served ten years on the Board of Directors for the Stark County Veterans Service Commission, where he passionately served with dedication to the veterans and their families until his retirement on January 14, 2018.

Bob led his life and taught his family by example to have integrity, to work hard, and to be optimistic, to give back, and to be grateful for all blessings.

Two very proud highlights in his military career were his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, and his invitation as one of 12 military and Korean Veterans to attend the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War in Korea.

Bob led an extraordinary life. He was young at heart until the end. He never lost his sense of humor. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a sports enthusiast (of course all Ohio sports), he love watching the Massillon Tigers Football team, he loved traveling and enjoyed listening to music (especially those big bands). His impact on the world cannot be accounted for in words. Robert's true gift is felt by those blessed to have met him; to have heard his stories; and to call him friend, or even better family.

Bob is survived and will be sorely missed by his daughters Elizabeth Duplain and Barbara Palmer, two grandchildren Brooke (Joe Zakham) Duplain and Nate (Allyson) Duplain, and seven great grandchildren; Chase, Mackenzie, Mariah, Cameron, Cooper, Kendall, and Parker.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Donald and Jack Haas; his sister, Mary Kay Mizer; and his grandson, Matthew Duplain. His wife Bonnie, the love of his life, died in 1995. He met and married Ella and enjoyed companionship with her until her death in 2019.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 3:00pm-7:00pm at the Karlo-Libby Funeral Home, 5000 Everhard Road NW, Canton, Ohio 44718 and Wednesday from 10:00am-11:00am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 127 Cherry Road NE, Massillon, Ohio. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Massillon. Interment will be in Strasburg Grandview Union Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bob's memory to the Veterans Service Commission of Stark County at 330.451.7439 or please see the VSC Donation Form under FORMS at: www.starkcountyohio.gov/veterans.