Kenneth L. "Duke" Haas

1928 - 2018

Kenneth L. "Duke" Haas

Kenneth L. "Duke" Haas, 89, lifelong resident of Perrysburg Township, played his last concert to a full house of immediate family on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Duke was born November 22, 1928 at home in Perrysburg Township to Ernest and Helen (Lepper) Haas; both who preceded him in death. Duke was preceded in death by his 3 brothers, Spike, Barney and Truman; and survived by his 4 sisters, Marietta Seifert, Alice LaHote, Dottie Sarver and Peggy Lauer. He was a 1946 graduate of Perrysburg High School.

Duke considered himself the luckiest guy on Earth when he married Elizabeth "Betty" Stein on November 27, 1954 at St. Aloysius Church in Bowling Green. They recently celebrated their 63 year anniversary with a get-together of family, which was one of Duke's favorite things.

Together Duke and Betty raised seven children, Thomas (Dawn) Haas, James (Sue) Haas, Joel Haas, Laura (Mark) Hummer, Alan Haas, Victoria (Brian) Romp, and Marty Haas. Duke cherished time with his fourteen grandchildren and his nine great-grandchildren. Left to carry on his legacy are Becky (Chris), Eliza, Max, Maggie and Annie Williamson, Kim (Nick) Avramaut, Andrew (Becky), Brennan, Lexi, Ryker and Aria Haas, Steve Haas, Brittny Stein, Brianna Glinski, Hannah (Matt) and Rhett Nelson, Nick and Elise Hummer, Rosalia, Maeven, Leo and Boniface Romp, and Ally Haas.

Duke served as a U.S. Army Supply Sergeant just outside a MASH unit in the Korean War and was very humble about his military service, only occasionally touching on the dark side of the conflict. He also played in Special Services Band at Camp Carson, Colorado.

While Duke did many things including being a truck driver and owner of Duke's Gulf in Toledo, he is best known as being an innovator in the overhead garage door industry. He was the C.E.O. of the Haas Garage Door Manufacturing Co. Duke literally "wrote the book" on the manufacturing, installation, and sales of garage doors. Duke pioneered the original insulated overhead door utilizing a process that he was told couldn't be done. This process is still being utilized today on the finest doors manufactured. He built three motor homes from the chassis up. He also was a private pilot and was instrumental in building a small Breezy aircraft. Duke had a knack for "doing things that couldn't be done", and doing them successfully.

Perhaps Duke's favorite job was the one that paid the least monetarily. Every Friday for the last 20+ years Duke could be found at the organ at Heartland of Perrysburg and Perrysburg Commons providing a themed concert for very appreciative residents. At Christmas time, his grandchildren would join in the performance and put on a great show!

Duke left this world as he lived, on his own terms; waiting until his beloved wife could be by his side and he left this world for the promise which guided him spiritually.

The family would like to thank his wonderful friends, especially his morning coffee group and all who provided Duke with his favorite of things, fellowship with family and friends, and also Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their above and beyond and compassionate care.

An open house visitation at Knights of Columbus Hall, 29101 Hufford Rd. Perrysburg, OH, will be held on Monday, January 29, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friends will also be received on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at All Saints Catholic Church, 628 Lime City Rd., Rossford, OH from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. with memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Witzler Shank Funeral Home, Perrysburg, OH. (419-874-3133) In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd., Perrysburg, OH 43551, or to the Open Door Ministry, 2823 Cherry St., Toledo, OH 43608. Online condolences to the family may be made at

www.witzlershank.com



View the online memorial for Kenneth L. "Duke" Haas