RALPH M. HASS

Jan. 16, 1917 - July 30, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Ralph M. Hass, 95, of South Bend, died at 11:25 p.m. Monday, July 30th in Michiana Health and Rehabilitation, following a short illness. Mr. Hass was born January 16, 1917 in North Liberty, IN to the late Sylvia C. (Reamer) and William M. Hass and was a lifetime area resident.

On July 21, 1973 in South Bend, he married Lucille E. Edwards, who preceded him in death January 16, 2008, after 25 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Everett R. Hass and Paul D. Hass, and sister, Gladys H. Foley.

He is survived by a number of nieces and nephews, including Christine Clippinger (Richard) and Charlene Monges (Gregory) both of South Bend, Gregg Hass of Indianapolis, IN, Richard Foley (Susan) of New York, Tom Foley (Holly) of Mishawaka, IN and Roger Foley (Joyce) of South Bend; many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews; and a sister-in-law, Enas "Sam" Hass.

In 1928 Ralph's family moved from North Liberty to South Bend, where he attended and graduated from Central High School in 1935. He then attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1939. Upon graduating from Notre Dame, Ralph went to work for his father, who owned a consortium of companies including Hass Millwork, Hass Concrete, Portage Realty, and lumberyards which would eventually come to be Big C Lumber.

During the World War II years of 1942 to 1945, he served in the Army Air Corps, spending most of his time in England. In 1945 he returned to his father's business, where he was joined by his brother Paul and brother-in-law, William Foley. In 1968, Ralph took over the ownership and management of Hass Millwork and Hass Concrete. In 1977 he founded Strescore. In 1993 he sold Hass Millwork and in 1995 he sold Hass Concrete. Shortly after Lucille's death Ralph sold Strescore. He continued to have an office at Strescore and was coming in daily until a few months before he died.

Ralph enjoyed fishing and following Notre Dame sports. He was a football season ticket holder since the 1940s and a charter member of the Quarterback Club. He also had season tickets to men's basketball dating back to the inception of the Joyce Center in 1968.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 4th in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Rd. Committal services and burial will follow in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. The family will receive friends in the funeral home from 5 until 7 p.m. today, August 3rd and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation, P.O. Box 837, South Bend, IN, 46624 or the charity of the donor's choice. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune from Aug. 2 to Aug. 3, 2012.

01/26/2023 EJS