Kenneth Gene Haack

In Loving Memory of Kenneth Gene Haack
Kenneth Gene Haack, a man of indomitable spirit, courage, and a dash of luck, peacefully departed from this world due to COVID at the age of 83 on January 20, 2024, in Vancouver, Washington. Born to Wilbur Julius Haack and Dorothy Maye Abrahamson in Missouri Valley, Iowa, Ken spent his formative years in Vancouver, Washington.
A celebration of Ken's extraordinary life will be held on Saturday, March 2, at 10 am at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, Washington. His final resting place is at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver.
Ken's journey began with a stellar athletic career, excelling in multiple sports during his youth. From his days at Shumway Junior High School to becoming a standout athlete in football, basketball, and track at Fort Vancouver High School, Ken's talent shone brightly. His athletic prowess earned him recognition as the outstanding lineman of the Washington State Highschool East vs. West All-Star Football game and Athlete of the Year in 1959. Securing a 4-year football scholarship to Oregon State University, he was later inducted into the Oregon State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of the Oregon State 1962 Liberty Bowl team.
During his junior year at Fort Vancouver, Ken met Kathie McKnight, and they married in 1961. Together, they raised two children, Julie Ann Haack and Kenneth Russell Bruce Haack. Committed to providing for his family, Ken was an early adopter of the side hustle. After summers spent painting houses and delivering milk, he found great satisfaction as a pioneer and 40-year veteran of the Portland Saturday Market
Yet, Ken's life wasn't solely defined by work; he sought to enrich his family's experiences. From traversing Central America with the Clackamas High School International Youth Circus in 1970 to embarking on a 52-day van trip across the US to commemorate the bicentennial in 1976, Ken fostered unforgettable adventures. Additionally, their Clackamas property provided endless joy for loved ones.
Graduating in 1963 with a BS in Science from Oregon State University, Ken embarked on his career at Clackamas High School (1963-1993), where he served as a biology teacher and assistant football and track coach for a decade. His innovative spirit led him to explore educational television's potential, producing, directing, and presenting biology programs between 1964 and 1967.
After earning his MS in Education in 1974, Ken transitioned to a 20-year tenure as a guidance counselor, leaving an indelible mark on the Oregon Association of Secondary Counselors and championing youth through the Student Assistance Program, earning the Distinguished Service to Youth Award in 1992.
Ken cherished community and friendship, maintaining lifelong connections with friends from Fort Vancouver HS class of '59 and colleagues from Clackamas High School. In retirement, he pursued his passion for art at the Portland Saturday Market, sailed the San Juan and Gulf Islands, and cherished moments with his granddaughter, Samantha Haack.
Following Kathie's passing, Ken found love anew with Sandra Sue (Sandy) Whitehead, whom he married in 2017. They shared 11 joyful years together in Surprise, Arizona, and Redding, California.
Ken is survived by his brother Charles G. Haack (Portland, Oregon), his children Julie A. Haack (Eugene, Oregon), Kenneth RB Haack (Portland, Oregon), and his granddaughter Samantha C. Haack (Milwaukie, Oregon). May his legacy of resilience, love, and creativity endure in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.