Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine
1944 - 2007
Richard Arlen Haak, Ph.D., died July 5, 2007 at his home in Danville, IN. He was born Sept. 14, 1944 in Fairmount, MN to Rudolph and Lenora Haak. Dr. Haak received his bachelor’s degree from McMurray College in Illinois and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Southern Illinois. He served on the faculty of Indiana University School of Medicine since 1972 in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the program in Medical Biophysics. Dr. Haak was active in research, curriculum development, graduate student recruitment, and teaching. He was a contributing author on over 29 publications in the areas of cell membrane biology and sexually transmitted diseases. He was a contributing investigator on over fourteen nationally and locally funded research projects.
Dr. Haak served a pivotal role in the most recent School of Medicine accreditation process in acquiring and preparing the documentation requested by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education by serving as the vice chair of the Self Study Task Force Steering Committee. He was awarded the W. George Pinnell Award for Outstanding Service in 2002 at IU Founders’ Day for his contributions to the University.
Dr. Haak served each year since 2000 as a reviewer for the China-US Biochemistry Admissions Program, traveling annually to China to interview prospective graduate students wishing to study in the United States. He was also pivotal in the efforts of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology to recruit outstanding graduate students and to enhance the quality of the departmental graduate program. He was a major contributor to the educational mission of the Department, participating selflessly in myriad medical and graduate student course offerings, an effort for which he was rewarded with outstanding student evaluations and the 2007 Indiana University School of Medicine Trustee Teaching Award. He also served on the advisory and dissertation committees of numerous graduate students in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the program in Medical Biophysics. He was a dedicated participant in various School of Medicine efforts involved in curriculum review, design and implementation.
Dr. Haak’s service to education and community was outstanding. He contributed untiringly to School of Medicine and I.U.P.U.I committees too numerous to enumerate. He served as Chairman of the School of Medicine Academic Standards Committee for seventeen years. He served for twelve years as a trustee of his alma mater, MacMurray College. He was a member of the Biotechnology Committee of the Indiana Corporation for Science and Technology, and a reviewer of grant applications for the Indiana Affiliate of the American Heart Association. He was currently serving as president of the Danville Community School Board. He had been a trustee and treasurer of the Avon Community Church of the Nazarene and, at the time of his death, was an elder and chairman of the Hendricks Community Bible Church in Danville.
Next to his love of his family and of his faith, Rich had a passion for the outdoors and for hunting. His colleagues could frequently discern that he had been “out on the river” when he arrived in his office with wind and cold reddened cheeks. His hunting exploits were not limited to the local forests and rivers, however. He hunted antelope in the western U.S., caribou in Canada and bear in Alaska. He ventured to Africa to investigate big game hunting. His success as a hunter was evidenced by the numerous trophies decorating his log cabin home, and by the fact that he would supply such delicacies as venison sausage for departmental pitch-in events.
Dr. Haak’s survivors include his wife Rebecca (Kerlin) Haak, whom he married Dec. 27, 1979; he was the proud father of Tim Haak, Kathy Haak Weed, Kristin Haak Plassman, all of Zionsville, Jennifer Haak Baenziger of Indianapolis, Megan Haak of Chicago, and David and Daniel Haak of Danville. He was the grandfather of four grandchildren, Jackson, Julia, Sawyer and Charlie. He is also survived by three brothers and two sisters.
In Rich Haak, his family and colleagues found a thoughtful, caring and loving individual. His dedication to his family, his community and his school were evident in all that he did. He is greatly missed.
Be it resolved that this memorial resolution be adopted by the Faculty Council of Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, and that copies be sent to Dr. Haak’s wife Rebecca, his children and his siblings.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles E. Wilde III, Ph.D.