David C. Hass, age 92, of Brownwood passed away Wednesday, July 3, in a local nursing home.
He was born October 2, 1926 in Pipestone, Minnesota, the son of Harry and Eva Cole Hass. He grew up on the Hass family farm in River Falls, Wisconsin and in 1944 at the age of 18 joined the Navy and served on the Escort Carrier USS Corregidor CVE-58 stationed out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was honorably discharged in June of 1946 and returned to River Falls where he attended River Falls State College. He later transferred to the University of Wisconsin, Madison where in 1950 he graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering. There on a blind date he met his future wife, Florence Frey and they were married on April 18, 1953 in New York. They celebrated 66 years of marriage.
His first job was with Oscar Meyer and later he went to work for the 3M Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. He and his family moved to Brownwood from Minnesota in 1968 where he worked as a chemical engineer for 3M until his retirement following 35 years of service. He joined the Masonic Lodge and Shriners and was very active playing in the Drum & Bugle Corps and oriental band. As he was the only one to read music, he served as President and Director of the band and played musette in the Suez Shrine Oriental band. They traveled the state competing in Shrine competitions and playing in numerous parades.
Dave was also very active as a Church sponsor representative with the Boy Scouts, Troop 14, and a youth soccer coach having to learn the game as he coached. He was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church in Brownwood and a member of the Johnson Sunday School class. He was an avid gardener being a farm boy and had large gardens at his home and at their Lake Brownwood property. He grew all kinds of vegetables and plants. He even had his own green house to grow his plants from seeds he planted.
He is survived by his wife, Florence Hass of Brownwood, four sons, Gregory Hass and wife Susan of Austin, Gordon Hass and wife Barbara of San Antonio, Steven Hass of Arlington, and Bruce Hass and wife Sandra of San Antonio. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Kendall Hass.
Masonic graveside rites with military honors will be held at 10 am Saturday, August 3, in the Greenleaf Cemetery with memorial services at 11:30 am at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jay Fraze officiating. Services are under the direction of Davis-Morris Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held from 6 – 8 PM on Friday evening, August 2, at the funeral home.
Memorials are requested to be made to the Shriner’s hospital or to First United Methodist Church.
Friends and family are encouraged to send condolences at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com.