Little League® International mourns the passing of Mel Haas, former Washington District 13 Administrator. He was 88.
Mr. Haas, a native of Aberdeen, Wash., was a founding member of Walla Walla (Wash.) Pacific Little League in 1956. In 50 years of volunteer service to the Little League program, he coached only one season in the dugout, but has spent 20 years a local league official, and the 30 years as Washington District 12 administrator.
A December, 1944 graduate of Walla Walla (Wash.,) High School, Mr. Haas enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1945, where he was deployed as a machinist mate third class on the minesweeper USS Obstructer. He was discharged in July, 1946.
Returning to school at Whitman College, Mr. Haas graduated in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Soon after, he took a job with Maker Boyer National Bank and began working part-time at Pete’s Sports Shop in Walla Walla. Eventually he was offered shares in the business by owner Peter Eyraud, and became the shop’s owner and operator.
After he semi-retired, and sold Pete’s Sport Shop he became very active in the Elks Lodge, holding all of the chairs and serving as an exalted ruler for the Walla Walla Lodge and also served as a district deputy of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mel was awarded a 50-year service pin from the Elks.
Mr. Haas is survived by his wife of 68 years, Loleta; his daughter, Marjie; his son, Douglas; two grandchildren, Joshua and Abigail; several nieces and nephews; and several step-brothers, step-sisters and cousins.