Canisius College is saddened to report the passing of Rev. Robert A. Haus, S.J., a member of the Canisius College Jesuit Community and professor emeritus of mathematics. Father Haus died on July 12. He was 90.
“For 54 years, Father Haus was a wise and enduring presence on the Canisius campus,” said John J. Hurley, Canisius president. “His humble and holy example captured the Jesuit essence of this place and he was an inspiration to his students and colleagues. I will miss him greatly.”
A philosophy major at Boston College, Father Haus was pursuing a second master’s degree in mathematics at Notre Dame when, in 1959, the Provincial for the Society of Jesus gave him his Buffalo assignment. Father Haus spent the next four decades in the classroom at Canisius. He became well-known for his exceptional ability to explain complex math problems with ease.
During Father Haus’ tenure, he also served as dean of the college’s evening division, and faculty advisor to student government, the student affairs council, the Azuwur yearbook committee, the DiGamma Honor Society, and moderator to the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes.
Father Haus retired from teaching in 2004 but assumed several new roles at Canisius and within the Jesuit community. He served as assistant to the secretary of the Board of Trustees, treasurer of the college’s Jesuit residence and he maintained the Jesuit vacation home on the Canadian shore. Father Haus also continued to serve as a Jesuit counselor in Bosch Hall, his home since 1968 when the residence hall first opened. During those years, Father Haus became a trusted friend and advisor to countless Canisius resident students.
Father Haus was born May 8, 1924 in Bronx, New York. He entered the Society of Jesus at St. Andrew-on-Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY in 1942. He earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in philosophy from Boston College; a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame; and a licentiate of sacred theology degree from Woodstock College.
Father Haus recently moved from Canisius College to Murray-Weigel Hall, the New York Province’s infirmary and retirement residences, where he passed away. Father Haus was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy (Haus) Bangert, and his niece, Patricia Ann Bangert. He is survived by his nephew, Douglas A. Bangert Jr. and niece, Betty Spradlin.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held today, Wednesday, July 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the Murray-Weigel Hall Chapel (515 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY). Canisius College will hold a memorial service in September. (More information will follow at a later date.)
Notes of condolences may be sent to Father Haus’ nephew, Douglas A. Bangert, at 1145 Beach View Drive, St. Simon’s Island, GA, 31522.
Submitted by: Marketing and Communications
