C. David Haacke, 82

CHESTERTOWN, Md. - C. David Haacke, of Chestertown, died Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007. He was 82.

He was born in Baltimore on March 1, 1925, son of the late William John Haacke and Gertrude Clara Bruning Haacke.

Mr. Haacke was a 1950 graduate of the Johns Hopkins University with a degree in chemical engineering. In addition, he did postgraduate studies at Hopkins McCoy College in business, finance and accounting.

Mr. Haacke married D. Kathleen Estepp on Nov. 25, 1950.

Mr. Haacke worked with Bruning Brothers Paint Co., Baltimore, and in 1952 took a position with Lehigh Chemical Products in Chestertown.

In 1960 he acquired the assets of the company and as Lehigh Chemical Co., he sold the company to Tenneco Chemicals in May 1966. He worked with Tenneco in Chestertown, Houston and New York.

In 1971, he returned to Chestertown to establish and manage Business Management Services. In 1983, Mr. Haacke sold the business to McGrow-Pridgen, Pa., and subsequently retired in 1988.

Throughout the years, Mr. Haacke was involved with the Maryland Blue Cross as a trustee (1963-1967), president of Hospital Council of Maryland (1967) and trustee of Wye Insitute (1964-1967).

He served as mayor of Chestertown (1962-67), chairman of United Fund of Kent County (1971), Kent County Commissioner (1974-78), chairman of Kent County Republican Central Committee (1982-85), trustee of St. Timothy's School (1973-83), founder and trustee of Magnolia Hall Nursing Home (1965-95) and director of Chestertown Bank of Maryland (1974-07).

Mr. Haacke served on the boards of many local businesses.

As an active member of Christ United Methodist Church, he served as Sunday school teacher, trustee, chairman of finance, lay leader and conference delegate, as well as the National Board of Pensions.

Mr. Haacke was raised in Tuscan Masonic Lodge 202 on Dec. 14, 1953.

He was affiliated with Chester Lodge 115 and served as Worshipful Master in 1973.

He served on the Board of Trustees of Maryland Masonic Homes (1975-84), as Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master (1983-84) and as Most Worshipful Grand Master (1985-86).

Mr. Haacke created the following significant programs during his term as MWGM: Soloman II promoting membership; Dr. John Coats Lodge 1787 established as base for an endowment fund for Masonry in Maryland; Masonic Charities of Maryland; an original director and member of the Executive Committee of National Masonic Foundation for the prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse among Children; and chairman of 1986 Conference of Grand Masters of North America.

He served as director of Masonic Charities of Maryland from 1986 until present and served as charter master of Magnolia Lodge 53 of Grand Lodge of FAAM of DC, which was consecrated on April 27, 1997.

In association with Masonry, Mr. Haacke was a member of the following organizations: Cecil Royal Arch Chapter 34, Chestertown; Adoniram Council Royal & Select Masters 21, Denton; Chesapeake Commandery 10, Denton; Maryland Old Line Council, Allied Masonic Degrees; Maryland York Rite College 58; Maryland Council 9 Knight Masons; Maryland College Soc. Ros. In Civ. Foed.; Grand College of Rites, Purple Cross; Scottish Rite, Valley of Baltimore, Orient of Maryland; KCCH, including Honor Men's Club, Conowingo Club; Red Cross of Constantine, St. Cyprian Conclave; Past Puissant Sovereign; Royal Order of Scotland; Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Baltimore Forest 45; AAONMS, Boumi Temple, Baltimore, including Knights of Mecca, Camel Wheels, Clowns; AAONMS All Ghan Temple, Cumberland; Royal Order of Jesters, Baltimore Court 82; National Sojourners, Bethesda 445; Heroes of 1776, Bethesda Chapter; Maryland Masonic Research Society; Order of DeMolay; Legion of Honor, Degree of Chevalier; Order of Eastern Star, Chestertown Chapter 86 Worthy Patron (1963 and 1966); and Honorary member of many blue lodges in Maryland

In recognition of his service to Masonry, Mr. Haacke was awarded the Pierpont Edwards Medal of Connecticut for Distinguished Masonic Service in 1986; Philip C. Tucker Medal of Vermont for Distinguished Masonic Service in 1987; and Grand Cross of Color of The International Order of Rainbow for Girls in 1994.

He was proclaimed Chairman Emeritus of Masonic Charities in Maryland by Brother Ronald G. Belanger M.W.G.M. on Nov. 18, 2006, and received the Thomas J. Shryock Medal for Meritorious Service from Brother John R. Biggs, Jr. M.W.G.M. on May 19, 2007. (The Shryock Medal is the highest award given by the Grand Lodge of Maryland.)

Mr. Haacke will be best remembered for his devotion to Masonic service, his local community-dedicated service, and his love of family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife on Sept. 29, 2004.

He is survived by children, Kathi Morehead and her husband David Morehead of Brunswick, Terri Cox and her husband Joe Cox II of Wilton, Conn., and Debbi Haacke and her friend Roy T. Rimmer Jr. of Dallas; and his grandchildren, Michael Cox, Betsy Dietrich and Ian Koplowitz.

There will be a memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Maryland Masonic Home, Bonnie Blink, in the chapel for the residents and staff of Bonnie Blink as well as family and friends.

The Masonic memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel and be conducted by the Grand Master and Grand Line.

A memorial service will also be 2 p.m. Sunday at Christ United Methodist Church on High Street, Chestertown.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of C. David Haacke to Masonic Charities of Maryland or Maryland Masonic Home, 304 International Circle, Cockeysville, MD 21030.

Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, Chestertown.