Edward Henry Haas

Edward H. “Mr. Ed” Haas, 92, of Allentown, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, December 30, 2024 at the Middletown Home, Middletown.

Born September 28, 1932, in Allentown, he was the son of the late Howard Henry and Mildred (Boyer) Haas and was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dolores Jane (Snyder) Haas, to whom he had been married for 47 wonderful years when she passed away in 2002.

He was a 1950 graduate of William Allen High School. He was employed at Hontz Appliance as a TV repair technician majoring in electronics and joined the military in 1952, serving in the US Army with the Signal Corp during the Korean Conflict. Ed continued his education in electronics by attending classes at Lehigh Community College, Muhlenberg College and Lafayette University. He ultimately worked at Bell Labs (what became ATT Technologies) and retired as an electronic engineer after 38 years. There, he developed, designed, and tested the original circuits, integrated chips and processors.

In his younger years, Ed traveled with his father to many circuses that performed in Allentown and surrounding areas. He was a highly skilled model builder, re-creating his favorite circus, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey’s The Greatest Show on Earth, in miniature ¼ inch scale. Ed then joined Circus Clubs; he was a life member of the Circus Model Builders International (and the Harrisburg Leonard Aylesworth Ring) and the Circus World Museum, and was a member of The Circus Historical Society, The Circus Fans Association of America, and The Circus Clowns Association of America.  He and three other fans formed The James A. Bailey Ring, where he was past president and a life member. He proudly displayed his models and organized the CMB conventions at Castle Gardens, Dorney Park. In addition to his models, his support of the circus extended to playing his coronet at the Mills Brothers and Clyde Beatty - Cole Brothers circuses. He also joined as an honorary clown during a performance with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Music played an important role in Ed’s life, starting with playing the trumpet and French horn in high school, and as a member of the Fullerton Fire Company Band, the Sons of Veterans Band, the East Side Drum Corp, and the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Sunday Orchestra.

He was a member and deacon at several churches, and often wrote down and recited his favorite bible verses. His passion and love for Jesus, his Lord and Savior, his family, all things circus, animals, coffee, trains, and his beloved Yankees was evident in everything he did. He adored his wife, Dolores, his two children and their spouses, 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, and supported all their many endeavors. Ed had a kind heart for animals and gave a loving home to a wide range of pets over the years.

Surviving are his children: David Edward Haas (and his wife, Laurie Young Haas), Florida and Susan Jane (Haas) Heist (and her husband, Donald W. Heist), Harrisburg; 3 grandchildren: Jendi Sansoni, Virginia, Timothy Heist (and his wife, Melissa Boarman Heist), Harrisburg and Nathan Heist , Harrisburg; 2 great grandchildren : Mylania Sansoni and Adrian Sansoni ; his brother-in-law: Charles Snyder; and his niece and nephews: Kathy Zeigler, Ken Snyder, and Robert Snyder, and their families.

Graveside services will be held 10:30 am Saturday, January 4, 2025, at St. Paul’s UCC Cemetery, Route 100, Church Lane, Trexlertown where military honors will be held prior to the service.

Kimmel Funeral Home, Harrisburg, is handling arrangements.

Donations can be made in honor of Mr. Ed to:  Lebanon Va - Mail Code 10V (who were a great asset in Dad’s care), 1700 S. Lincoln Ave. Lebanon PA 17042 or The Circus World Museum, 550 Water St, Baraboo, WI 53913.