Dr. Juan A Haener

Dr. Juan Haener, 98, died on April 8, 2016 in Northern California. He was born Aug. 11, 1917 to Georg Haener and Friederike Helen Haener in Hamba Romania. Haener's life was filled with education, family, travel and scientific discovery. He received a Ph.D., summa cum laude, in Theoretical Physics and was widely recognized for his contributions to the three-dimensional theory of elasticity for composite materials and structures. Dr. Haener is survived by his companion of 40 years, Helen Bouchard. He is also survived by his children, Georgine Kammel (husband Siegfried), Carmen Sotolongo (husband Ariel), Cristian Haener, Juan Haener, and Mila Fadely (husband Wesley), eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, as well as his companion's children Larry Bouchard and Ann Bouchard Alcala, and three grandchildren, and his former spouse Mila Schmitz. Haener was preceded in death by his parents, brother Christian and sister Lisbeth. Dr. Haener was educated in Western Europe, received a Master of Science degree from the Technical University of Berlin and a Ph.D., summa cum laude, in Theoretical Physics from the University of Vienna. He worked and taught throughout Europe, Argentina and Brazil. His last position was as Chief Scientist at Whittaker Corp. in San Diego where he worked for ten years. He held several scientific patents and was known for inventing the Haener Block, a mortarless interlocking block system used throughout the world and thought to be faster and more cost-effective than other previously used construction techniques. He ran The Haener Block Company almost until his death and could be found for hours working in his study. His biography is included in the prestigious collections of American Men of Science and Who's Who in the World, and was a life member of the New York Academy of Sciences. A private Celebration of Life will take place with friends and family in San Diego, Calif. A memorial fund has been set up to honor Haener's legacy with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of all people. To donate, go to www.supportaaas.org/JuanHaenerMemorial.