NEWS
In Memory: Father Robert Haberman 1949-2021
F
ather Robert Haberman, a beloved member of the Dominican community for more than 30 years, passed away peacefully on Jan. 24. He was 71.
of the famous “pizza hat” and proclaiming, “Time to party!” captured both Fr. Bob’s pastoral touch and his mischievous sense of fun.
Fr. Bob came to Dominican 32 years ago from his home state of Colorado, and often joked that he was on “temporary assignment” from his diocese in Pueblo. In his tenure at Dominican, Fr. Bob served the campus in several different capacities, including as faculty member, chair of the religion department, director of campus ministry, residence hall coordinator, and University chaplain.
Fr. Bob was often called upon to officiate the weddings of former students, baptize the children of alumni, and celebrate the lives of the recently deceased. “We provide all the services,” Fr. Bob once quipped, “hatch, match and dispatch.” His sense of humor and gift for being a calming and reassuring presence will most certainly be missed by the entire Dominican community: students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the many friends of the University.
Dominican President Mary B. Marcy recalls that Fr. Bob’s insight into Dominican’s history was invaluable when she arrived to serve as Dominican’s president in 2011.
Fr. Bob received his Doctor of Ministry from the San Francisco Theological Seminary, his Master of Divinity from St. Mary’s University, and his Bachelor of Arts from Loras College. He also completed additional studies at the University of Jerusalem, Dartmouth University, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of San Francisco.
“We quickly bonded over our shared experiences growing up in rural middle America,” President Marcy said. “He was astutely able to find such connections with nearly everyone, and his gentle presence and playful sense of humor will be greatly missed.” Fr. Bob is remembered for his passion for all things “Star Wars” (so much so that he based a course on analyzing the religious underpinnings of Darth Vader’s empire and Luke Skywalker’s rebellion) and his love of the Dominican community — especially the students he so deeply cared for and served. His commitment and service to the University are rivaled only by the many relationships and connections he built with Dominican alumni and friends over the years. His benediction at the close of every commencement, followed by his donning
9
THE TORCH | SPRING/SUMMER 2021
Fr. Bob. had battled leukemia for a long time, and recently required hospitalization due to additional complications. His condition worsened, and he was unable to recover. During virtual Reunion on April 17, Alumni Relations and Campus Ministry posthumously inducted Father Bob into the Dominican University of California Alumni Association, in recognition of his dedication and service to Dominican and our alumni. The University is working with the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael and Fr. Bob’s family in Colorado to explore options for a celebration of his life while remaining mindful of public health restrictions.
