Frederick Randall Havens

Frederick Randall Havens, 80, died February 4, 2003, after a long illness. The son of Harry Lucas Havens and Harriet Thwing Havens was born in Kansas City, MO, in 1922. After Southwest High School in Kansas City, and Western Reserve Academy in Cleveland, he attended Amherst College, graduating in the class of 1944 with a degree in political science. He maintained a lifelong interest in learning, especially in the area of politics, history, and economics. His gift for language led to his service as an Italian interpreter in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps during World War II. After the war, he returned to Kansas City and soon moved into a position at Havens Steel Company, the family business founded by his father in 1919. Taking over from his father, he was president and CEO of Havens Steel Company from 1956 to 1985. While President of Havens Steel he supported the development of many new ventures, including Johnson Overhead Rolling Door Company, Atlas Systems, Inc., National Riggers and Erectors, Inc., Standard Havens, Inc. (AMEX), and BHA Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ). His passion for international expansion of Havens Steel Company operations led to joint ventures in Russia, China and India. By the time Fred retired he had made it possible for Havens Steel employees to own 100% of Havens Steel through an ESOP. Even in "retirement" he never quit working at Havens Steel and went to work every day of the week until he was forced to stop by failing health. As president of Havens Steel he was interested in national issues related to steel fabrication and construction, and he served on the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) from 1976-1982. In recognition of this service, Havens Steel Company and the AISC established the Fred R. Havens Fellowship to endow undergraduate and graduate level education in structural steel design. This endowment continues to support the education of students in architecture or civil engineering programs in the USA. He was President of the Kansas City Mental Health Foundation Board and Chair of the Elmwood Cemetery Board, as well as chairman of the Northeast Kansas City YMCA. His years of committed service to the Whatsoever Community Center were recognized by the dedication of the Fred Havens Senior Center in 2002. He was active on the Board of Directors of the Truman Medical Center, the Plaza Bank of Commerce, and the Academy of Health Professions. He served as a member of the Ethics committee of the Missouri Bar Association. He was a former board member and longtime Advisory Board member of Planned Parenthood. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane Neale Havens; children, Abigail and Charles Singleton, Peter and Kayt Havens and Andrew Havens; as well as nine grandchildren. Services are Saturday, February 8, 2003, 11 a.m., at All Souls Unitarian Church, 4501 Walnut, Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Fred R. Havens Fellowship at the American Institute of Steel Construction Education Foundation, One West Wacker Dr., Suite 3100, Chicago, IL 60601-2001; or to the Fred R. Havens Fund at the Whatsoever Community Center, 1201 Ewing, Kansas City, MO 64126. (Arrangements: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Stine and McClure Chapel, 816931-7777)