Jack Haderle Jr.

Jack Haderle, Jr.
February 24, 1939 - January 18, 2021
Jack Haderle, a life long Bay Area resident passed away peacefully in his Menlo Park memory care facility. Jack was third generation San Franciscan, predeceased by parents Jack and Sudy Haderle. He attended St. Emydius School followed by Riordan High school, graduating with the class of 1956. He then went to USF where he majored in Physics and graduated in 1960. After college Jack was drafted into the Army, based out of Ft. Huachuca, Arizona and it was there that he learned to work with some of the very first computers. A versatile career centered around software and programming ultimately landed Jack at Lockheed Martin in Santa Clara where he spent 30 years working for the MILSTAR satellite program among others. Jack had an incredible musical ability dating from childhood. As the oldest son, he was groomed early on as the family musician intended to provide the backdrop for sing-a-longs and good cheer during family gatherings. Family and friends often gathered around the piano throughout his life to sing along and his repertoire of songs was unending. If an obscure request was made, sometimes all it took was a few notes or a little humming of a melody to bring a favorite tune back to life.
Aside from piano, Jack was accomplished on the Trombone, Clarinet, Accordion, and he was able pick up just about any instrument and make it work. He played with many bands during his time but his favorite was the Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band on the Trombone, always with his loving wife Ronni marching alongside on cymbals. Jack was a huge fan of parades, and the tightly knitted community of musical enthusiasts kept him in good company during their many festival appearances, his favorite being the annual Columbus Day Parade in North Beach.
Jack had a formidable talent as a gymnast in his younger years. Participating with the Turners or with the Swiss Club, meets were often held in the old California Hall in San Francisco. Jack was a specialist on parallel bars, horizontal bar, pommel horse, and rings. The Haderle house in Los Altos always had a scattered assortment of gymnastic equipment about and even a set of rings hanging from the living room ceiling! Jack's workout included a variety of gymnastics based elements and the kids referred to it as his "Jacksersizing" since he was so committed to physical fitness.
Jack was an avid skier and belonged to the Oakland Tourist Club which has a mountain lodge at Donner Pass, the "Heidelmann Lodge" for which the family spent so many weekends and holidays. The family of six were active members and Jack was perhaps best known for his good humor, humble and friendly nature and the tendency to spend long nights singing songs whether on the piano or on the accordion with an assemblage of dedicated merrymakers.
Jack was also a member of the Elks Lodge in Redwood City, a member of E. Clampus Vitus, and the Lockheed-Martin Retiree Club.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ronni (Shields), his brothers Donald (Gail) and Rick and sister Carolyn; his four children, Douglas (Angela), Stephen (Kim), Margaret, and John (Sara) along with nine grandchildren; Brannen, Jake, Rachel, Brady, Tate, Charlie, Spencer, Lily and Elise.
Jack will be missed by his many friends and family throughout the Bay area and beyond, for his wonderful sense of humor, his enduring music, good nature, friendly smile, and his lifelong dedication to letting the good times roll.