Mr. Douglas D. ‘Doug’ Haase Sr. was born on October 3‚ 1951‚ in Waverly‚ Missouri‚ to Louis and Dora (Schutte) Haase. He was the youngest of five brothers‚ Eugene‚ Herbert‚ Larry‚ Don‚ and Doug. He met the love of his life‚ Cathy Rucker‚ during his high school years. They were joined in holy matrimony on March 14‚ 1970‚ in Marshall‚ Missouri‚ and were blessed with a son‚ Dale. The family resided in Marshall until moving to Lexington and later to Troy in 1975. Doug was transferred by Orscheln Farm & Home‚ and opened their first store in Troy.
Doug began his firefighting career in 1978 with Troy & Rural Volunteer Fire Department‚ where he served as chief from 1980-1984. He worked as an EMT-paramedic for Lincoln County Ambulance for 15 years. On September 4‚ 1984‚ he began working for St. Charles City Fire Department‚ where he served as a firefighter‚ paramedic‚ and engineer for 27 years.
He was called ‘SELF’ by those he worked with‚ because he went around saying‚ ‘I said to myself‚ ‘Self’-that’s me‚ you know.’
He was a caring and compassionate person his entire life‚ and working to help others was second nature to him. Doug had been a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church since moving to Troy. Most people do not like the thought of snow‚ but Doug loved to play outdoors with his son and grandsons sledding and making snowmen. Doug was an amazing‚ loving‚ and caring man. He had a way of calming any stressful situation. He had a dry sense of humor that could make anyone smile and a hearty laugh that will be remembered by family and friends.
Doug passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday‚ February 1‚ 2012‚ at Station 2 in St. Charles.
Doug’s greatest accomplishment was caring for his loving family‚ his wife‚ Cathy; son‚ Dale; daughter-in-law‚ Robyn; and grandsons‚ Doug and Sam.
He is also survived by his brothers‚ Herb Haase‚ and wife‚ Darlene; Don Haase‚ and wife‚ Norma; and his sisters-in-law‚ Loretta Haase and Bonnie Haase; his father-in-law‚ Wayne Rucker; brother-in-law‚ Larry Rucker; sisters-in-law‚ Becky Silvey and Susan Rucker; and other relatives and friends.
