Fred Haase takes his place among the Giants of Culver Retiring after 43 years, veteran teacher/coach receives Mars Award Two years into Fred Haase’s teaching career, Superintendent John Mars wrote, “He is trying to put standards back in Latin and is succeeding. A competitive nature but loyal — we should keep him. He has good potential.”
The veteran teacher/coach retired at the close of the 2014-15 school year, but not before adding the coveted John Mars Award to a trophy case that includes the Spivey Award and Kaser Scholar. Haase also gave the 2015 Baccalaureate address to graduates and their parents. He was a Batten Fellow, holder of the W.A. Moncrief Jr. Chair of Free Enterprise Economics, and served two stints as chairman of the Department of Modern & Classical Languages. Since 1989 he has been a consultant to the College Board and an Advanced Placement reader in economics.
Haberland photo.
That was in 1974. Culver, indeed, kept him and Haase realized all his potential. He forged a rich teaching career — Latin, Greek, and economics — that spanned 43 years. Only the third boys varsity golf coach and the only head coach CGA golf has known, Haase coached two state individual champions — one of them daughter Caroline in 2003.
The John R. Mars Faculty Merit Award goes to the faculty or staff member Fred Haase who has established the most positive and constructive relationship with students and best exemplifies the ideals of Culver and Mars. Created in 1983 by the CEF Board of Trustees, the award honors the school’s 10th superintendent by perpetuating Mars’ positive relationship with students during a 41-year career. It was an appropriate honor for Haase, who viewed Mars as a mentor and second father. Mars was the Bible that Haase read on a daily basis, Dean of Faculty Kathy Lintner said in her presentation. “All of (Haase’s) actions are grounded in his great faith and spirituality. His moral compass is one that has served and carried him in times of need … both personal and professional, and by extension, has served others in his wide circle of
family, friends, and colleagues,” Lintner said. “His patience, kindness and understanding are virtues that have touched everyone at some time or another. “Like John Mars was for him, he has now become the Bible that other people read, not only for his students and athletes but also for those who love him best,” she said. “The passion he has for the subjects he loves has impacted so many of his students.” In the late ’90s Haase would battle a genetic kidney disease; his health waned but not his dedication to Culver and its students. Daughter Caroline Hegg shared, “he gave his time and energy to Culver without hesitation or concern because, no matter how he felt, his students and players meant the world to him.” Haase underwent a successful kidney transplant in 2004, the donor kidney coming from the father of his oldest son’s Culver roommate. Haase joined the Academies in 1972, teaching in what was then the Language and History departments. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin (Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa) in 1971 from Wabash College and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Washington University (St. Louis). Haase and his wife Nancy are parents of three alumni children, David ’99, Caroline Hegg ’03, and Ryan W’05, ’09. In the words of the late John Mars, Haase has been “affecting eternity” in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in his daily dealings with his colleagues, Lintner said. “Culver is a richer place for having had him in our midst. He may have been a Wabash College Little Giant, but he is now one of the Giants of Culver.” (Editor’s note: Research and/or introductions by Dean of Faculty Kathy Lintner and Head of Schools John Buxton were a source for all of the articles on faculty awards and retirees.)
CULVER ALUMNI MAGAZINE
7