Ronald Haas

1936 - 2015

Haas, Ronald 09/07/1936 ~ 04/02/2015 RANCHO SANTA FE -- Ronald B. Haas, passed away peacefully at home on April 2 after a brave battle with cancer. Ron was born in Palmdale, California on September 7, 1936. As a child, he relocated with his parents to Tulelake, California. In the mid 1940's, the family relocated again to Santa Cruz County, eventually settling in Aptos. After graduating from Santa Cruz High School in 1954, Ron served in the Army and, while stationed in Europe, taught himself German. He then went onto earn a degree in architecture from the University of California at Berkeley, and spent two years working as an architect in the Monterey Bay area. But music was always Ronâ "s great passion and his career path was to be determined by that passion. As a child he would listen to the radio broadcasts of the New York Metropolitan Opera, and developed a love of classical music, especially music of the Baroque era. Ron taught himself to read music and play the piano. After his short time working as an architect, he used his musical and design talents to set up his own workshop, in which he created replicas of 17th and 18th century harpsichords of the Baroque era. Every painstaking detail of the harpsichord was made by hand, from the stringing of the instrument to the artistic details of the exterior inlaid woodwork. Ron's instruments were commissioned by musical ensembles and collectors throughout North America and Europe.Ron also served for many years on the board of the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival. After moving to Rancho Santa Fe in 1996, Ron supported the San Diego Mainly Mozart Festival and offered his home on many occasions for recitals and fund-raisers for the group. More recently, Ron became a proud grandfather of five children adopted by his son Hugo, and through his efforts and generosity the children not only had their educational needs met, but were able to expand their horizons through travel and musical training.The family wants to thank the doctors and staff of the Moore Cancer Center at UCSD for their loving and kind support during Ron´s illness, specially to Dr. Kesari, Dr. Piccioni, Dr. Orozco, Nurse Joshua Carter and the Valet Parking attendant Jerome. Thanks also to Andy Mangini, who during the last 10 months helped keep the kitchen running in the same way Ron always liked. Ron was predeceased by his long-time companion and friend Jerry McMillan, his parents Carl and Ruth Haas, and an older brother who passed away in childhood.Ron is survived by his son, Hugo Haas, his five grandchildren: Heberth, Yener, Eliseo, Sam and Betsy, of Rancho Santa Fe, and his loyal dog Watson; he also leaves behind scores of devoted friends from the San Diego area, northern California, and many in the international world of music.A celebration of life will be held at a later date.Donations in Ron's memory may be made to the Moore Cancer Center at UCSD.