Obituary of John C. Haas

John C. Haas, 88, of State College, died on Saturday, December 3rd.

In addition to Joyce, his devoted wife of 35 years, John is survived by his children, grandchildren, great grand children and their families: Son Jeffrey C. Haas (Riviera Beach, FL) and his wife Wendy Haas, son Joel C. Haas (Jupiter, FL) and his wife Alda Haas, Son John Carl Haas (Church Hill, MD) and his wife Kate Maxwell, stepdaughter Paige Hope (Hoboken, NJ), grandson Jason Haas (Chicago, IL) and his wife Samantha, Andrew Haas and Joseph Haas as well as his great grandchildren Ford and Francesca Haas (Chicago, IL).

John was born November 3, 1934 at the Fort Hayes Army Post in Columbus, OH; the son of the late Margaret E and John Clyde Haas.

Being the son of a career Army father, John attended three high schools: Tolleston High School in Gary Indiana, Bristol High School in Bristol PA and he graduated from Pennsbuy High School in Lower Makefield Pennsylvania in 1953. He was a member of the varsity wrestling, track and baseball teams at Bristol High School.

He graduated from Penn State University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served in Army Intelligence in 1958 and 1959. He attained the rank of Captain and received an Honorable Discharge in 1969.

Upon leaving active duty in the Army, John worked as a project architect for Mahony and Zvosec City Planners in Princeton, NJ. In 1972 he founded John C. Haas Architects, Engineers, Planners Inc. in State College, PA and was the CEO of the firm until his retirement in 2003.

His more than 40 years of experience in project design and construction, coupled with his interaction with a variety of clients, enhanced his ability to assemble and administer multidiscipline professional design teams for many major projects throughout Pennsylvania. Local projects for which he was the lead architect included the Bryce Jordan Center, the Beaver Stadium expansion at Penn State University, the Recreation Center at Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA and numerous commercial and industrial complexes. Additionally, John designed countless custom homes for clients, friends and family. Many of his projects were easily recognized because they included a signature round window.

He served as President of the Middle Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1986 and 1987. He was president of the Pennsylvania Society of Architects in 1993. John was a member of the Pennsylvania Architects Licensure Board from 1996 through 2006 and served as President of the Board from 2004 to 2006.

On June 9, 1958, he married Jean Ann Scigliano who died on April 10, 1986. On May 9, 1987, he married Joyce Conklin Haas who survives him at home.

John was very active in the State College community; He served as President of the State College Area Chamber of Commerce in 1990 and 1991, President of the Rotary Club of State College in 1998 and 1999, and Chairman of the 1997 Centre County United Way Campaign. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, the Center County United Way and Co-Chairman of the Fire Study Committee of the Centre Region Council of Governments.

John received the 2000 Outstanding Volunteer Award by the Chamber of Business and industry of Centre County and the 2004 Leon R Kneebone Award for Extraordinary Volunteerism by the Centre County United Way.

John's passions were spending time with his family, Penn State Football and wrestling and the more than 65 year long friendship of his many Sigma Chi fraternity brothers. He enjoyed playing handball, down hill skiing and tailgating at Penn State football games. His family was always his number one priority.

John will be loved and missed.

Visitation will be on Friday, December 9, 2022 from 1-3 pm and 5-7 pm at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College.

Funeral service will be held at 9:30 am on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the Centre County Memorial Park following the funeral service.

Flowers may be sent to Koch Funeral Home. Alternatively, memorial contributions may be directed to the State College American Legion, 1950 Pine Hall Rd, State College, PA 16801.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.