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Joseph Haberer Obituary

Joseph Haberer, 84

Professor Emeritus Joseph Haberer, 84, of West Lafayette died Tuesday June 11, 2013 at St. Elizabeth East.

He was born January 31, 1929, in Villingen, Germany to the late Berthold and Georgine Seckels Haberer. After Kristallnacht (1938), Joe was sent on the Kindertransport to England then immigrated to the US in 1946. His parents perished in the Holocaust.

Joseph received his B.A. from San Francisco State College in 1951, his M.A. from Columbia in 1954 and his Ph.D. from UC-Berkeley in 1965.

He married Rose Weiss in 1968.

Joseph taught Political Science at Rutgers University (1966-71) then Purdue University (1971-1994). He was Director of Purdue's Jewish Studies Program (1980-1994) and Editor of Shofar, a scholarly interdisciplinary journal in Jewish Studies, (1982-2000) remaining book editor until 2012.

He was a member of Sons Of Abraham Synagogue. For many years he was involved with the annual Greater Lafayette Holocaust Memorial conference, President of the Midwest chapter of the Kindertransport Assoc. of America as well as active in Holocaust education in the US and Germany. Purdue Libraries' Joseph Haberer collection attests to his life-long commitment to books and education. Among his other interests were cooking, music, theater, gardening and travel.

Surviving along with his wife are his children Eugene Benjamin of CA, Robert Haberer of CA, Leila Vest (husband Scott) of Indiana, Nina Haberer of West Lafayette, grandchildren Alexandra and Nicole Vest, Shane and Sarabeth Haberer. Also surviving is his brother Erich Gaber (wife Muriel) of France.

Funeral Service 1:00 PM Friday at Soller-Baker West Lafayette Chapel, 1184 Sagamore Parkway West, Rabbi Audrey Pollack officiating. Burial will be at the Jewish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials to the charity of donor's choice. Sign the guest book and leave memories at www.soller-baker.com

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

Published by Journal & Courier from Jun. 12 to Jun. 13, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Haberer

13 Entries

Larry Smierciak

June 24, 2025

I was saddened to learn of Professor Haberer's passing and felt compelled to leave my condolences to his family, as he had such a profound impact on my life and the choice of studies I followed while at Purdue. I worked with Professor Haberer as a student assistant on the Shofar Journal and thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent seated across from him while at work. He had so many wonderful stories and I loved hearing about his life and experiences. He was such a kind and humble man, full of life with a great appreciation of the gifts he had been given. I am so much the better person for having known him. May his memory be a blessing.

Deborah Hodge

January 14, 2014

I am so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was an enormous help to me when I was writing my book, Rescuing the Children: The Story of the Kindertransport. In fact, it was his encouragement and help that made the book what it is. I will always be grateful! My sincere condolences to his family.

Mitch Kessler

July 13, 2013

Joe was a friend,mentor and my major professor in grad school. He was a man to model ones life after: caring,compassionate and always avaiable. I think of joe regularly and am thankful for having spent several wonderful years learning so much from him on many levels. Joe's many contributions will forever be with many of us who were fortunate to know him.
My thoughts are with his family.

Cyrelle Simon

June 17, 2013

Joe had always been kind and helpful to me, sending me regularly, the Chabad newsletter, written in Yiddish and English from the Jewish Studies files. I enjoyed reading it. Joe had been very supportive of my husband Ed pertaining to his participation in Purdue's Jewish Studies Program Committee. And, when Ed needed daily transporting for his radiation treatments, Joe, as well as other friends were there for him. I admired his work in the Jewish Studies Program and appreciated his strong traditional Jewish background. I shall miss him.

Jan Simon

June 17, 2013

I had the pleasure of talking with Joe a few times at WBAA events. He was every inch a gentleman; unpretentious, a great conversationalist, and always curious about everything. Rose, I'll always treasure my copy of Joe's "It's a Mystery - Political Novels Through the Ages" which introduced me to so many authors and books I otherwise would not have known. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Joyce Field

June 14, 2013

I have enjoyed Joe's friendship for many years and our wonderful conversations on music, literature, baking, and the Holocaust. He will be missed. My sympathies to his family.

Jennifer Redden

June 14, 2013

I knew and worked with Professor Haberer when I was a secretary in the political science department at Purdue in the 1980s. He was a kind and generous gentleman, and I learned a lot from him. One fond memory I have is how he would frequently bring in his homemade, freshly baked bread to share with us in the office. It was always fabulous and such a treat, and I'm fortunate to have a couple of his recipes. You will be missed, Professor Haberer. My condolences to Nina and the entire family.

Jill and Bob May

June 13, 2013

Joe was a wonderful human being who we relished knowing and talking to. Although we did not see him that often, we will miss him very deeply. He was always very supportive of both of us and we always greatly appreciated how much he did for the Jewish community and Jewish studies at Purdue. We will so miss talking to him.

Bob and Jill May

Lynn Tidrick

June 13, 2013

My condolences go out to Nina and her family. When I was still working at Purdue, I loved seeing your father when he come into the office. He always had a great smile and a awesome personality. He will be missed by all. Take care.

John Contreni

June 13, 2013

It was an honor to be a colleague of Joe's. He was a mainstay of Purdue's campus and made important contributions to campus life and culture. He was also a real gentleman with a quiet sense of humor.

Sandor Goodhart

June 13, 2013

I was saddened to read today of Joe's passing. I have known Joe and Rose since my arrival at Purdue in 1997. He was exceedingly helpful to me when I assumed the directorship at that time and I appreciated the fine work that he continued to do tirelessly for Shofar, for the Purdue library's Judaica collection, and indeed for the Jewish Studies Progam as a whole (of which he was among the founders) long after his formal retirement from an academic position. His presence at Purdue will be missed by a great many people.
My condolences go out to Rose, to Nina, and to other members of his family. Zichrono livracha, May his name be for a blessing.
Sandor Goodhart

Marty Meyer, Ph.D

June 12, 2013

I was an honor to be a guest speaker in Joe's class. I remember him being both passionate and compassionate. Sweet memories -- peace, now, for Joe. My condolences to his family. He was a good and gracious man.

Alice Anderson

June 12, 2013

My condolences to the Haberer family...I thank Prof. Haberer for his work on the Holocaust Remembrance Conference...also his sharing his story at WALLA and Wesley Science and Theology. He will be missed by many.

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