A graduate of the Artillery Officer Candidate School and a five years service in the U.S. Army, he earned degrees from Cornell, Montclair State, and Kansas State Universities. He also attended Bucknell, Maryland, and Kean Universities. After a brief forays in the corporate world as an anthropologist and research manager, he became a teacher and then director of the New Jersey's GED program and adult high schools. He encouraged a growing cadre of hundreds of committed adult education professionals across the state to establish continuous open enrollment, diagnostic-prescriptive GED preparation instruction resulting in doubling of the state's GED passing rate leading to New Jersey to the status of both the highest per capita GED instruction participation and graduation rates in the nation. He restructured both the GED testing centers and scoring procedures to reduce turn-around time from two months to one week. He pioneered the reformation of the state's adult high schools to adapt to accreditation of verifiable experiential learning, resulting in the number of adult high schools increasing from eight to 60, enrollment increased from a few hundred to many thousands, and the program became available to virtually every under-credential adult in the state, regardless of the school district in which they resided. He left adult education to serve as a special education director, principal of several schools for emotionally disturbed children, and finally dean of Gibbs College before retiring.
His volunteer accomplishments included vice-president of New Jersey's Adult Education Association, and Central New Jersey United Way, and a mentor at Pawcatuck Middle School. Clandestinely, he was Candice Byrd, a Grand Helmuth of the Christian Anti-Communist Crusade, Fred Feliner, a cat who disenfranchised a bogus diploma mill, Dominic Haire, a proponent of the multi-page run-on sentence, and many other alter egos. His book, "Skippy's Brave Adventures," an irreverent biography of George W. Bush is in its second edition.
A life-long communicant of the St. Louis Cardinals encouraged his multiple, but unsuccessful applications to the College of Cardinals for admission and the papacy. Despite a reputation for looking smart in a floor length dress and skull cap, his excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church and advocacy of atheism were likely to have been the rationale for the Vatican's regular spurning of his candidacy.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Mable: his son, Walter III; his daughter-in-law, Judi Hauck; his granddaughters, Chelsea and Stephanie Hauck of Stonington; a sister, Nancy Boettcher of Memphis, Tenn.; and his brother, Peter Hauck of Port Washington, N.Y.
A farewell party will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, at the Clubhouse in Bishops Cove, Route 1, Mystic. At the request of the deceased, the farewell will avoid any mention of god or after-life. Friends are welcome to tell tall tales, starting at 2 p.m.
Anyone wishing to memorialize Walt further may donate to the Lighthouse Vocational Education Center, PO Box 271, Olde Mystic CT 06372, in remembrance of his granddaughter, Megan.
The family invites you to visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com for our online guest book.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Katherine Rathbun
January 22, 2008
Walt, Judi and Family - I was absolutely saddened to hear of the passing of Walt. Although I had only met him several times, I have very fond memories of laughing out loud and bantering wildly to keep up with his sense of humor! He was a man who could make a person feel instantly at ease and welcome - a true gift. I am so sorry for your loss.
Maura Specht (Hoy)
January 21, 2008
To the whole family,
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Haucks passing (and yes, he would tease me for calling him that). He was very kind to myself and my friends and was always making us laugh. He is remembered with many smiles and smart remarks. My heart goes out to all of you. Much love.
Marjorie Byrne
January 21, 2008
Walter, I'm gonna miss our walks and talks through your beautiful gardens. I hope there's a clean palette for you to create a new landscape full of spectacular colors. Mable and Family I'm sorry for your loss.
Albert Szesciuk
January 20, 2008
My wife and I offer our deepest sympathy on the loss of Walt. It was my pleasure to work with him daily during his tenure at Watchung Hills Regional and I always had the deepest respect for his humor and administrative style.He always talked about his wonderful wife and son and his love for Megan. Walt will be missed by myself but never forgotten.
Sy Barasch
January 20, 2008
I was a colleague and friend of Walt working out of Kean College when he was an New Jersey SED.He was quiet,funny,and perceptive in all our dealing.I regret his loss
Ellen Swercewski
January 19, 2008
Walt, Judith and family...I'm so sorry to hear of the death of your father/grandfather. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Karen Eberl
January 19, 2008
Walt and Family-
So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreYou may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read moreThese free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read moreSome basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more