Dr. Stephen Haas

CONERSTONE OF THE WASHINGTON DC MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND PIONEER IN SPORTS MEDICINE

Dr. Stephen S. Haas, 84, a nationally recognized specialist in orthopedic surgery and pioneer in sports medicine, died February 23, 2024, in Washington, DC. The cause was renal cancer.

Dr. Haas and Dr. Carl MacCartee cofounded MacCartee & Haas, an orthopedic surgery practice, in 1975, which later became Washington Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. long regarded as the premier orthopedic and sports medicine practice serving the Washington, DC community. In addition to maintaining an active practice until his retirement in 2009, Dr. Haas was a clinical professor of orthopedics at George Washington University and a clinical instructor of orthopedics at Georgetown University. He chaired Sibley Memorial Hospital's department of orthopedic surgery from 1996-2006. He also was an orthopedic consultant to the White House medical staff for 16 years.

Dr. Haas was well regarded in professional and college sports as the team physician for the NBA's Washington Bullets/Wizards, the NHL's Washington Capitals, the gold medal-winning USA Olympic Basketball Team (1996), Georgetown University athletic teams, George Washington university athletic teams and the Washington Diplomats Professional Men's Soccer Team. He was a member of the Medical Council for the National Football League (2000-2006) and Venue Medical Director for World Cup Soccer in 1994. In retirement, Dr. Haas was medical director of the NFL Player Medical Benefits Plan.

Stephen Samuel Haas was born May 17, 1939, in Columbus, Ohio, to Joseph Haas and Elsie Haas.

His formative years were spent in Evansville, Indiana, where he excelled in academics and sports, including baseball and basketball. It was also in Evansville he developed what would become a lifetime passion for golf.

After graduating in 1961 from the University of Michigan with a degree in English, he attended the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, earning his MD in 1965. From 1965 to 1972, Dr. Haas completed his internship and residency in general and orthopedic surgery at George Washington University. During that period (1967-1969) he served as a flight surgeon in the US Air Force.

Family, friends and patients enjoyed Dr. Haas's wry sense of humor, and his seemingly endless supply of anecdotes from his career, including the time his work in the Air Force prompted President Lyndon B. Johnson to telephone Dr. Haas' surprised mother to thank her for raising "a great American!" In return, he cheerfully endured almost constant good-natured ribbing from his blended family.

Dr. Haas always loved working with his hands, whether it was performing surgery or designing and building an intricate model railroad or working on projects around the house. He had a sharp and curious mind, was a voracious reader and enjoyed traveling the world. In later years, he enjoyed visits to California and Georgia to visit his family and watch his grandchildren compete in sports. He had a special love for Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he and his family spent many summers hiking, and winters skiing.

Dr. Haas is survived by his beloved wife of forty-four years, Barbara B. Haas of Washington, DC; brother Clifford Haas (Andrea), of Bellingham WA; daughter Lisa Haas (John Sullivan), of Los Angeles, CA; son Jason Haas (Claire), of Los Angeles; stepdaughter Adrienne Adelman (David), of San Juan Capistrano, CA; stepson David Walmsley (Jessica) of Atlanta, GA; and grandchildren, Zach Haas, Lukas Haas, Katherine Adelman, Jackson Adelman, Henry Walmsley and George Walmsley.

The family requests any memorial donations be made to City Kids Wilderness Project at citykidsdc.org.

The service will be scheduled for a later date.