Keith Haas, a former Sitka resident with good friends and family here, died August 3 in his home in Marysville, Wash. He was 80.
Keith was born in Atwood, Colo., on Dec. 26, 1935, the last of four sons born to his mother, Francis Louise (Large) Haas, and his father George Rudolph Haas Sr.
Keith Haas
He served in the U.S. Army in Germany in the 1950s, worked in the Kellogg, Idaho, mines with his brothers, and finally decided to better his life by attending college to become an electrician.
After his marriage, to Connie Goodmanson, he moved to Sitka, and worked for his uncle at The 3 ½ Club as a bartender until he began work at Alaska Lumber and Pulp.
After the birth of his daughter, Brenda, his family followed him to Sitka and this is where they created a life together and his heart always remained.
In his spare time, Keith fished commercially on the F/V Bluebird, Larkspur II and later the Joan D II. He loved the outdoors whether it was commercial fishing, hunting, or working in his yard. Everything he did was for the purpose of providing for his family.
After the strike of ALP in Sitka, Keith worked on the North Slope of Alaska until taking a job in Everett, Wash., at Scott Paper, later to be bought out by Kimberly Clark.
It was in Marysville where Keith and Connie settled for their golden years, establishing great friendships with neighbors, co-workers, and Alaska friends.
Keith’s greatest pride was his family. He was deeply sorrowed when his wife left this world in 2009. He loved his daughter and son-in-law Richard Calkins. He was thrilled when his two granddaughters, Bryanne and Britley, came into the family and was extremely proud to be a great-grandpa to Christlyn Knocke, daughter of Bryanne and Alex Knocke.
A celebration of his life will be held in his yard on Sept. 10. For more information, you can contact his daughter, Brenda Calkins, at brenda.calkins.2010@gmail.com.