Dr. Wilbur "Bill" Alvin Haak

Dr. Wilbur Alvin “Bill” Haak was born on June 26, 1934 in Zeeland, Michigan. He attended Zeeland and Holland Christian Schools and graduated high school in 1952.

Bill received a Bachelor of Arts from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI in 1956 and a Doctor of Medical Arts from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in 1960, after which he interned at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. After completing his training, he entered the U.S. Public Health Service and practiced at San Carlos, Arizona from 1961 to 1963.

Bill returned to Michigan and practiced general medicine in Cutlerville, Michigan until 1966 when he returned to the Public Health Service to enter a Pediatric residency at the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. He completed his residency in June of 1968 after which he practiced at the USPHS in Gallup, New Mexico. He became a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics in February 1970.

Dr. Haak joined the Maricopa County Health Department staff and worked for Maricopa County Arizona until 1981. He moved to Globe, Arizona in 1982 and practiced Pediatrics and General Industrial Medicine until his retirement in 1996.

After retirement Bill indulged his love of Arizona history. He worked with the Gila County Historical Society as a board member and museum director. He wrote many articles about Gila County pioneers and several books on the county’s history.  He also returned to woodworking and made furniture and finally wooden toy trains and trucks.

Bill’s lifelong love of music and singing served him well until the end of his life. He was a member of church and community choirs in Phoenix, Globe, and most recently St. Albans in Tucson.   His annual singing of the Messiah with community groups was a special joy.

Bill is survived by his wife of 45 years Lynn, his three children Chuck (Jill), Laurie (Pam), David (Annet) and their mother Norma. He leaves 6 grandchildren and 9 great grands.

Services will be held at St. Albans in Tucson on October 8th at 10am with a reception following in the parish hall and at St. Johns in Globe on October 29th at 10 A.M.. The Globe reception will be at noon at the Gila County Historical Museum.

If you'd like to make a donation on the Haak family's behalf, please send donations to the Gila County Historical Society or St. John's Episcopal Church. Thank you.