Richard (Pappie) Arnold Haas

Pappie, Richard Arnold Haas, age 77, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital in Sweetwater, Texas, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Richard was born on September 25, 1947, in Sweetwater, Texas, to Opal Charlene (Hill) and Fred Christopher Haas. He served his country not only in the United States Army but also as a Police Officer, and he remembered those days fondly, sharing many remarkable stories of his days as a cop. On September 24, 1987, Richard married the love of his life, Elaine Marie Walkowiak, in Coke County, Texas. They raised two boys together, Christopher Don Haas and Brett Matthew Haas. Richard was the type of man who never wanted to sit still; he was always working on something or getting himself into trouble, for instance, almost going over the spillway at Lake Stamford in his boat after a big rain.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine Haas of Sweetwater, Texas; two sons, Christopher Haas and wife, Shana, of Rotan, Texas, Brett Haas and wife, Lisa, of Midland, Texas; grandchildren, Albert Schooley, and wife, Lisa, Tabitha Haas Berry and husband, Aaron, Koby Haas, and Braydon Haas; sisters Glenda Casto of Sweetwater, Texas, and Carolyn Owen of Granbury, Texas; brothers Leonard Haas, of Houston, Texas, and Fred Haas, of Lake Havasu, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law Dennis Walkowiak and Larry Casto.

Per his wishes, his body will be cremated, a visitation with family and friends will be at Highland Methodist Church in Sweetwater, Texas from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm before the graveside service on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 3:00 pm at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene, Texas, with the U.S. Army Honor Guard and Reverend Larry Holder officiating, followed by entombment of his cremains; with arrangements under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.

The family would like to add a special THANK YOU to Dr. Rubio and Dr. Sambo, along with the other doctors and nurses who cared for him during this journey.