In Memory: Father Robert Haberman 1949-2021

In Memory: Father Robert Haberman

1949-2021

Father Robert Haberman, a beloved member of the Dominican community for more than 30 years, passed away peacefully on Jan. 24. He was 71. 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. 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. “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 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 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. 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. 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.

The Dominican Community Remembers Fr. Bob

It is the word friendship that describes you so beautifully and honestly. Clearly, your love of God and your friendship with God opened the whole world in the gift of friendship. You have the precious gift of creating community, as we experienced so specially at Dominican and Our Lady of Lourdes. Thank you, dear Father Bob, for giving so generously and lovingly and joyfully! — Sister Ann Providence Frassinello, O.P. ’61

Iam grateful to have known Fr. Bob from the earlier days of Campus Ministry, when I served on the Campus Ministry Advisory Board, to the most recent alumni event. Caring, quiet, but always relaying more through that twinkle in his eye — these are qualities I will hold dear. I ache for my alma mater's loss. Rest in peace, dear Fr. Bob. You earned it! — Jean Smith Nelson '72

Fr. Bob did so many things for so many people at Dominican over the 30-plus years he was there, and his influence can’t be measured. Just hearing the stories over the last week from all the people he touched is proof. The tales from the students who went on his La Bamba missionary trips to Tijuana alone could take hours to tell, and the photos from those trips would fill volumes of albums. It would take at least another album to include every photo from all the ‘alums’ he's married, and their kids that he's baptized (including mine). To say he’ll be missed is an understatement. To say he can ever be replaced is impossible. — Ben Stricker ’95

Fr. Bob was so special. The man, the myth, the legend, the miracle. He championed Campus Ministry and the Catholic heritage of Dominican. He served our Dominican community selflessly and with such humility and strength. He was often a moral compass for our campus. We were blessed to have him for so long, and blessed that his journey brought him to San Rafael. I will never, ever forget what his life has taught me: as a priest, as a teacher, as a supervisor, as a mentor, as a friend. – Lianni Castro ’04 F r. Bob opened our wedding ceremony with "Finally!” to which my grandfather replied, "Amen!". We so appreciated his sense of community, and he brought a bit of humor to ease the wedding-day jitters. Fr. Bob was one of my first professors at Dominican, and later became a coworker and friend. He lived the Dominican ideals of service, community, study and prayer, and he will be deeply missed. — From Eileen Burns Caparoso ’06, MS ’08

Fr. Bob, my favorite man of the cloth. You embraced my unorthodox mannerisms and gave me the leadership opportunities I needed to grow. You always knew a groovy bass line. I know we'll joke again in Divine Mercy. — Gabriel Guevara ’11

Fr. Bob was a true gem within the Dominican community. He made church feel like an escape, a respite, a relief from the demands of college life and young adulthood. There are no words to encapsulate how witty and deeply meaningful his homilies were. It's like he knew exactly what to say to help me prepare for another week. He kept spirituality and faith simple and accessible to students. He was there when we needed him (usually with a smile and a side of dry and clever humor). Thank you for making such an impact on my college life and my spiritual journey. Rest in Paradise. — Leeann Francisco ‘20

Fr. Bob was one of the kindest and gentlest priests I have ever known. I could truly feel God's mercy and love working through from Fr. Bob whenever I went to confession with him. His homilies were amazing, and there were days when they answered the questions radiating through my mind about my faith. He was an amazing person, and he will be missed by many. — Frances Pham ’21