John Richard Haskew

On February 9, 1945, Eunice Haskew made an entry into her diary. "It rained, Richard was born." With that brief entry the life story of John Richard Haskew began. He was born to Eunice Larimore Haskew and John Wesley Haskew in Lower Peachtree, Alabama.

He spent his early years working on his family's cotton farm. After attending a one room elementary schoolhouse he graduated from Pine Hill High School. Rich completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at The University of Alabama where he served as a leader in the IEEE chapter. After graduation from The University of Alabama, Rich was hired by Bell Laboratories, the research and development branch of AT&T in New Jersey. While working on numerous telecommunications related projects, Richard completed a Master of Science degree plus additional work toward a PhD at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. He continued at AT&T Bell Labs working on top secret cryptology projects for the National Security Agency. He returned to Alabama to continue his career working for South Central Bell, BellSouth, BellSouth Government Systems, and BellSouth Telecommunications, retiring after 30+ years in 1997.

Over the years, he enjoyed many hobbies, including ceramics, painting, vegetable and flower gardening, woodworking, drawing, fishing, hunting with guns and cameras, traveling, photography, and birdwatching. He could repair or create almost anything. He was also a good cook, especially chicken salad, divinity, and cornbread dressing.

John Richard Haskew passed from this life at age 81 on February 17, 2026.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents, his son John Timothy Haskew, 2 brothers, Harvey and Harold Haskew and one great-granddaughter, Shiloh Leach.

He is survived by his daughter, Dawn Haskew Leach (Bill). Five grandchildren: Madeline Haskew, Johnna Haskew, Ben Haskew, Alex Leach and Nick Leach. Four great-grandchildren: Bailey Leach, Annalise Leach, Keekan Leach, and Brooks Leach. Also Maxine Haskew Gooseman (sister-in-law), Jay Haskew(nephew) and his faithful friend, Helen Haskew.

Visitation will be at 10:00 AM on March 28, 2026 at Bolton Funeral Home in Columbiana, Alabama. Burial will be at 11:00 AM at Pinelawn Cemetery in Columbiana. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital.

If you would like to share a memory of Rich, please write it to bring to the visitation or email to Helen Haskew at hask4225@bellsouth.net.