Richard Joseph Haby, 92, of Lafayette, Ind., died December 9, 2019 at St. Mary’s Healthcare, Lafayette. He was born March 31, 1927 in Union City, NJ to Henry E. & Charlotte J. (Fleck) Haby. He married Sharon Sue Davis on May 22, 1954 and she survives.
Richard was raised in Westwood, New Jersey and a 1944 graduate of Westwood High School. He earned his BS degree in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University in 1948 and attended graduate school at Purdue University where he continued his studies in Agriculture Economics. He was an entrepreneur who “had his fingers in a lot of pies”. His first job out of college was as a writer for a farming magazine, and after graduate school he was a grain buyer for an elevator in Danville, IL. He moved with his bride to New Jersey to open and co-own multiple restaurants with his brother, with both couples sharing living space above their restaurant. With four children (of their eventual six) ages 3 or under, they moved back to Indiana where Richard made deals to purchase a drive-in theater, then a grain mill, and ultimately landing back in Lafayette as a realtor and later developed and built Wedgewood Mobile Home Park. Richard went on to have a large presence in the real estate business in Lafayette, buying, selling and renting properties. He had a heart for people who were down on their luck and made it possible for many people to have inexpensive housing. Being an avid reader, he modeled to his children and grandchildren how to be a lifelong learner.
Richard attended Community Reformed Church in Lafayette. He loved trees and planted hundreds of them in his lifetime. Richard’s zeal for card games, cribbage and backgammon were evident in his playing thousands of rounds with family and friends (frequently offering prizes to grandchildren if they could beat him). Over the course of many years, he and Sharon enjoyed hosting international students from several countries in their home. Richard and Sharon enjoyed many travel adventures including trips to each continent (except Antarctica) with an especially interesting cruise on the Panama Canal. Beyond his varied work, games, and travels, Richard took the most delight in his ever-growing family.
Memorial donations may be made to Tippecanoe County Habitat for Humanity, LUM Lafayette Urban Ministry or Alzheimer’s Association. Goodwin Funeral Home, Frankfort, is honored to assist the Haby family.
Visitation and Services
Visitation will be 3-6 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2019 at Community Reformed Church, 2501 S. 18th St., Lafayette, IN. Funeral celebration will be 1 p.m. Monday, December 16, 2019 at the church. Burial will be in Mintonye Cemetery, Tippecanoe County, Ind.
Survived by:
Surviving with his wife of over 65 years, Sharon, are their children: Susan (Tom) Dinkledine of Russiaville, Connie (Rob) Walsman of Indianapolis, Steven (Diane) Haby of Lafayette, Carol (Vince) Klinker of West Chester, OH, Beth (Joe) Faulkner of Lafayette and Sarah (Bill) Davis of Lafayette. Also surviving are 25 precious grandchildren, many grandsons-in-law and granddaughters-in-law and 23 great-grandchildren with four more arriving soon.
Preceded by:
He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 infant children, brother, Arthur Haby and sister, Elaine Zangara.
Sharon & Haby Family
Very sorry to hear about Richard he will be missed. Our condolences to all of the family. Darrel & Sue Verhey & Family
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Facebook Twitter GoogleGod bless the entire Haby family. An amazing family!!
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Facebook Twitter GoogleAunt Sharon and the Haby Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Uncle Richard’s passing. He was such a GREAT man and I have many good memories when I visited Indiana as a child. I know he will be truly missed by his family and friends. Your family is very special and my condolences go out to all of you.
Love,
Nancy Maness, Apache Junction, AZ
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Facebook Twitter GoogleSharon and the Haby Family,
So sad to hear of Richard’s passing. He was such a wonderful man. Definitely made an impact on me in the short time I knew him. I will never forget him. He always made me smile.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleWe are so sorry for your loss. May God grant your family peace and comfort.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleSharon and family. This is Peggy Robbins Earl Spitznagle’s niece. You talked with me at the nursing home on Veteran’s day and many other times. I really enjoyed our conversations. It was so nice to see your love and care you expressed for your dear husband. You are a true example of a loving wife.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleAunt Sharon and the whole Haby Family
I am so blessed to have gotten the opportunity to visit all of you this past spring. I saw such love between all of you, working together, having fun with so many babies, children, teenagers and of course my cousins. What a way to remember Uncle Dick, still cracking jokes even at 92! Aunt Sharon, you have such an amazing family. My prayers are with each and every one of you.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleSharon and Haby Family, We are praying for you and your family. It is comforting to know Richard is with our Lord. We celebrate with you a life well lived. Richard has left a legacy in which your family can take comfort and pride. He was a man who loved God, his wife and family. He was so proud of his children, their spouses, grand children and great grand children. Your family is a testament to what a good man he was.
The Martel families and Skaggs family
(Mike, Debby, Tracy, Dale, Abby, Jack, Scott, Erika, Reese and Wyatt)
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Facebook Twitter GoogleSteve and Family, Patty and I are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Father. He was quite a Gentleman. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mark and Patty Albert
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