Search by Name

Search by Name

David Hackett Obituary

David Andrew Hackett

El Paso - Dr. David A. Hackett died after a short illness on Sunday, November 15, 2020. He is preceded in death by his parents: Dale Welper and Margaret Jenkins and his adoptive father Clarence G. Hackett. Dr. Hackett was a long-time resident of El Paso. He graduated from Austin High School. He received his BA in history from Earlham College. He went on to receive his Master's and Ph.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He studied at the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany, under a Fulbright grant and returned to Germany several times over the course of his career for research under Fulbright and DAAD grants. He was an Associate Professor of History and taught at UTEP for forty years, including a term as Chairman of the History Department. He was the editor and translator of The Buchenwald Report (1995), which was published in German as Der Buchenwald Report (1996). It was subsequently translated into several other languages. The original manuscript was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1995. Over the course of his career, Dr. Hackett taught 20th-century European history, Western Civilization and Holocaust history to thousands of students at UTEP. He was a scholar and teacher who was deeply committed to transmitting the values of justice, integrity, knowledge and truth. He is survived by his loving wife, Anne Hackett, his loving children, Mary-Elizabeth, Michael and Caroline Hackett and six beloved grandchildren, as well as his stepmother, Helen (Deja) Hackett, his brothers, Don Hackett, James Macayel and John Macayel and his sisters, Peggy Heinrichs, Susan Murray and Jenny Eveler. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes West. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the El Paso Holocaust Museum.






Dr. David A. Hackett murió después de una breve enfermedad el domingo 15 de noviembre del 2020. Sus padres fueron Dale Welper y Margaret Jenkin y su padre adoptivo fue Clarence G. Hackett, quienes lo precedieron en muerte. El doctor Hackett fue un antiguo residente de El Paso. Se graduó de Austin High School. Realizó su licenciatura en historia de Earlham College. Luego pasó a realizar su maestría y doctorado en historia de la Universidad de Wisconsin en Madison. Estudió en la Universidad Ludwig-Maximilians en Munich, Alemania, con una beca Fulbright y regresó a Alemania varias veces a lo largo de su carrera para investigar con las becas Fulbright y DAAD. Fue profesor asociado de Historia y dio clases UTEP durante cuarenta años, incluido un mandato como presidente del Departamento de Historia. Fue editor y traductor del Informe Buchenwald (1995), que fue publicado en alemán como Der Buchenwald Report (1996). Posteriormente se tradujo a varios otros idiomas. El manuscrito original fue donado al Museo Conmemorativo del Holocausto de Estados Unidos en 1995. A lo largo de su carrera, el Dr. Hackett enseñó historia europea del siglo XX, civilización occidental e historia del Holocausto a miles de estudiantes de UTEP. Fue un erudito y docente profundamente comprometido con la transmisión de los valores de justicia, integridad, conocimiento y verdad. Le sobreviven su amada esposa, Anne Hackett, sus amados hijos: Mary-Elizabeth, Michael y Caroline Hackett y seis amados nietos, así como su madrastra, Helen (Deja) Hackett, sus hermanos: Don Hackett, James Macayel y John Macayel y sus hermanas: Peggy Heinrichs, Susan Murray y Jenny Eveler. Servicios otorgados por Sunset Funeral Homes West. En lugar de flores, la familia solicita que se envíen donaciones al Museo del Holocausto de El Paso.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by El Paso Times from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for David Hackett

Sponsored by ElPasoTimes.com.

Not sure what to say?





Richard E. Nisbett

December 23, 2020

I was David's debate partner at Austin High. We were a very successful team, as you would imagine if you knew David. David was an extraordinary young man, and clearly became a very productive scholar. He knew enormously more about politics and journalism than I did, and shocked me once when he described me as a conservative. I suppose I was if he said so! David was unfailingly kind and polite, and was far more mature than I was. Come to think of it, he was more mature than anyone I knew of his age.
With condolences for David's family and friends,
Richard E. Nisbett
Theodore M. Newcomb Distinguished University Professor of Psychology Emeritus
University of Michigan

Karen P Keenan

December 6, 2020

I want to offer my sincere condolences to the Hackett family. I just read David's obituary in the NY Times, as I am wanting to bear witness and remember those we have lost to the coronavirus. Your husband and father's story especially touched me as I am an informal student of the Holocaust. His research and writing and teaching I am sure touched untold numbers of people, and he did the world a great service by documenting the horrors of the Holocaust. I especially like hearing how he seemed to have had an affinity from a young age for learning about Germany. The world benefited from him following that passion. I had not heard of David's book but just purchased it. His legacy is surely a lasting one. He sounds as though he was a truly wonderful man. I know you must miss him dearly, and I send my sincere condolences. May his memory be for a blessing.

Lyn Martin

November 23, 2020

Anne, Mary, Michael, and Caroline, I’m so sorry for your loss. I can see what a wonderful husband and father he was, as well as scholar, teacher, brother and friend. I’m sure you will always remember him with pride and immense love and gratitude. Although we didn’t see each other often, I’m proud to have been his sister in law, and I know Graham remembers his Uncle David fondly.

Jan Casner

November 23, 2020

My deepest sympathies to the family. David certainly left a wonderful legacy. A fellow AHS classmate. Jan Glazner Casner

LYNDA SANDERS

November 23, 2020

Anne, My sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved husband and wonderful father to your beautiful children. May beautiful memories bring you comfort and peace. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. God's Blessings... Lynda Sanders

Ernestine Ruebush Harlan

November 23, 2020

Condolences to David's family from a fellow 1958 graduate of Austin High School. Blessings and prayers, Ernestine Ruebush Harlan

Don Hackett

November 23, 2020

David was my brother, and a finer example of a gentleman and scholar would be hard indeed to find. He was my mentor, and often my rival, when we were growing up. We shared a subscription to The Autocar, collaborated on building a Heathkit hifi amplifier from a pile of parts in a box, and argued daily about all sorts of things. Because he was a good teacher, as well as older, he won most of the arguments. And I always learned something in the process.

Sergio S. Guerrero Jr.

November 22, 2020

My sincere condolences to the family of David Hackett. I was a student of his in European History in the early 90s. He was an inspiration and a joy to have for a professor. Today I teach history at the high school level. He provided his students with a strong foundation to understand world events that continue having impact on us all. Thank you Dr. Hackett for all you did for us. May you rest in peace and may our Good Lord provide comfort and grace to your family.

Judy Stevens

November 22, 2020

Offering Anne and family much love and support at this very difficult time. As you go through these challenging days ahead, may your sorrow be eased with the treasured memories of David you hold in your heart.

Robert Esch

November 22, 2020

A fine colleague at UTEP. May God bless you, David.

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results

Make a Donation
in David Hackett's name

Memorial Events
for David Hackett

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Sunset Funeral Homes - West - El Paso

480 North Resler, El Paso, TX 79912

How to support David's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor David Hackett's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more