Thomas Alan Haase

March 17, 1955 – May 22, 2021

Thomas “Tom” Haase was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Herman and Patricia Haase. He grew up in that area and remained forever drawn to reminders of the mountainous regions and wooded river valleys of his youth. His relocation from the northeast to the scenic beauties of the Pacific Northwest with his adoring wife, Rita, was a happy choice. Tom is survived and deeply missed by his wife, Rita, his mother, Patricia, his son, Adam, his daughter and son-in-law, Kristen and Billy Edom, granddaughter, Rose Eleanor, sister and brother-in-law, Beth and Greg Molek, and their children, Matthew, and Katie Baker. Sisters-in-law, Rosalie, and Theresa Robertson will also profoundly miss him.

A graduate of Thiel College, Tom started his career as a chemist and eventually migrated to computer systems. In a technology-driven world, Tom was the embodiment of a resilient, rugged intelligence and ethical, deeply caring approach to the people and dogs in his life. He was a lifelong seeker of knowledge and wisdom, particularly in the field of scientific developments. It was a subject area in which he could become unusually verbose, even when his wife’s eyes started glazing over from the technical terms in a Scientific American article he wanted to share.

A keen interest in and understanding of applied sciences was just one of many enthusiasms that enriched the lives of people who knew him. Within his professional field of expertise in IT data management and systems, his depth of knowledge and talent for complex problem-solving was a bright light for countless coworkers. A natural teacher, he excelled at sharing his knowledge and skills in a way that listened to the individual needs of the person. This was always performed with an innate kindness and unwavering patience, hallmarks of his remarkable character.

Evidence of Tom’s mental discipline and athletic accomplishments included his years as a marathoner in multiple races across the country. He additionally ran the original course marathon in Athens, Greece.

Another of Tom’s enduring passions could be found in his skill as a carpenter and self-taught builder of many home renovation projects, all of which demonstrated his creative planning and meticulous approach. His volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity allowed him to express this talent and contribute to homes for deserving families, while enjoying hard-working camaraderie with friends committed to the same cause.

Together with his wife, he raised a canine family and was loved beyond measure by the dogs that shared their world of travel, hiking, exploration, and quiet walks in the woods and neighborhoods where they lived. Tom’s steadfast devotion to their well-being and happiness was the quintessence of gentleness and loyalty, traits he shared with each of them: Shepherds Ripley, Boo, and Scout, and Finnie, a garrulous blue heeler.

“He was not of an age, but for all time.”