Robert Haderlein

1923 - 2016

Dr. Robert Vincent Haderlein, 93, longtime Girard dentist and education advocate, finalized negotiations with his Maker at WestRidge Assisted Living on September 14, 2016. He was born April 27, 1923, in Frontenac to Andrew John Haderlein and Katherine (Triani) Haderlein. He attended parochial grade school and graduated from Frontenac High School. He did undergraduate work at Pittsburg State University and earned his D.D.S. degree from the University of Kansas City in 1945.
He married Patricia Ann (Patty) Barkell on August 11, 1945 at Parris Island, SC. during WW II. He was a Dental Officer serving with the US Marines and the US Navy. While in the Korean War he was Commanding Officer of the 668th Mobile Dental Unit attached to the Eighth Army and Chief of Dental Service of the 25th Evacuation Hospital. He was awarded the Bronze Star.
Dr. Haderlein practiced dentistry in Girard for 42 years, retiring in 1988. He served on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Girard for over 50 years, and has been Chairman of the Board since 2005. He served on the USD 248 School Board from 1957-1999. For over 40 years he announced the Girard High School athletic contests. In 1979 the elementary school in Girard was re-named the Robert V. Haderlein Elementary School.
Dr. Haderlein was the President of the Kansas Association of School Boards and the only Kansan to be elected as President of the National School Board Association. He was appointed to the National Commission on Excellence in Education that presented the report "A Nation At Risk". He was inducted into the Kansas Teacher's Hall of Fame.
As one of the original five board member of the Southeast Kansas Service Center – Greenbush, he served as president from 1976-1999. He was also a member of the Learning Tree Institute Foundation since 2001.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Patty, his parents, and a brother, Andy. Survivors include Barbara Keys (Tom) of Wichita, Trisha Self (Rob) and Mike Haderlein of Andover; 3 grandchildren, Katie Keys, Danielle and Ali Self.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Girard, Concelebrated by Fr. Robert Wachter and Fr. Floyd McKinney. Private burial with Military Honors will be held in the Girard Cemetery.
The Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m., Sunday at St. Michael's Church with visitation following.
Friends may call at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home on Sunday from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. and after 5:00 p.m., at St. Michael's Church.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Learning Tree Institute at Greenbush, St. Michael's Church, or USD 248 and these may be left at the church or the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.