Harold Haak

Harold F. Haak, 94 passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 17, 2020. He was comforted by his wife Cindy and other family members.

Harold was born May 14, 1926 to Herman and Lillian (Knope) Haak. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his sons James (6) and Dick Haak and his brother Alan.

Harold is further survived by his wife Cindy, sons, Bob and Norreen, Tom and Carol, Mike and Kim, and Patti Haak. Cindy’s children Teresa and Mark, Steve and Sara, Amy and Jason, Lori and Scott. 21 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

He graduated with the Appleton High School class of ’44. Harold enlisted in the Army Air Corps and began pilot training. WWII ended and he was honorably discharged. He returned home and began working at Appleton Wire Works (Albany International). He began his career in the finishing department and held many positions throughout the manufacturing process. He started troubleshooting and field service work and retired as Technical Director in 1987. He returned to Albany as a consultant for another 10 yrs. During his career he developed very special relationships with customers in mills across the country. Many of those became lasting friendships beyond their working years.

Harold was a Packer season ticket holder since the 50s’. Multiple generations of family continue to enjoy attending those games. And yes, he did attend the Ice Bowl. He said it took days and a lot of scotch to get warm.

Harold loved his family and enjoyed sharing his passion for the outdoors with them boating, fishing, and hunting. He loved trees, flowers, and watching birds. He enjoyed a good cheeseburger and a cold Miller Lite. But family and friends know it was J&B that he truly savored.

Harold owned an untold number of boats throughout his life beginning at age 14. His early boating years began at the Appleton Yacht Club where he served as commodore, and later the Fish Creek Town Dock where he served as chairman of the Harbor Commission. His fishing included inland rivers and lakes for walleye, perch, and bass and Lake Michigan and Green Bay for salmon and lake trout. He enjoyed deer and pheasant hunting with his boys and many Alabama hunts with his good friend Ron Kressin. He also survived some crazy fishing experiences with his friend Ed Brown.

Door County, especially Fish Creek, had a special place in Harold’s heart. He was a resident of Fish Creek and Sturgeon Bay for many years before moving to Seymour in 2018. Many days he could be found in the Bayside with Smilin’ at ‘their’ table solving world problems over coffee and lunch. There was a photo of these good friends on the wall near that table.

Harold spent countless hours in his workshops, both basement and garage, creating Christmas gifts for the grandchildren. Each family has a rocking horse, the granddaughters got dollhouses and furniture and the grandsons, trucks, trains, airplanes, and boats. All crafted with love from various species of wood and lovingly oiled to show the color and grain. Many of the couples received name signs and benches. In recent years he built colorful birdhouses which are displayed throughout the backyard. This past winter he built his last 2, a barn and a church.

Harold lived a blessed life. He loved and was loved. He will be missed.

Friends may call at Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home on Sunday, August 9, 2020 from 9:30 am until the funeral service at 11 am with Pastor Ty Stoneburner officiating.

Online condolences may be expressed to Harold's family at www.muehlboettcher.com