Walter G. Haupt was born on August 12, 1903 in Trevorton, Pa. He was the son of Luther and Ida Dougherty Haupt.
He was only five (5) years old when his father passed away.
On August 22, 1929, in Williamsburg, Pa., he married the former Sarah Ruth Lang who died on March 22, 1980. Sarah was the daughter of John Edward and Amanda Jane (Gorman) Lang.
Mr. Haupt obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Susquehanna University and a Masters of Education degree from Pennsylvania State University.
Research reveals that his wife, who preferred being called Ruth, also had a four year degree. However, the name of the university Ruth attended was not stated. Mr. Haupt was 26 and Ruth 22 when they married.
Could it be that they were college sweethearts?
Walter and Ruth had two (2) daughters, Louise and Margaret.
In the early years of their marriage, Ruth and Walter lived in a home on School Street. During the latter years of their lives, they rented an apartment in the old bank building.
Both Walter and Ruth are buried at the Twin Hill Cemetery in Montoursville, Pa.
Mr. Haupt began his career in education as a math teacher at the Austin High School, Austin, Pennsylvania. He left Austin for a short period of time to assume the position as Principal at Montgomery High School, before returning to Austin in 1951, as the Supervising Principal. He had devoted 43 years in education before retiring. He remained in Austin upon his retirement.
Mr. Haupt belonged to the Austin United Methodist Church and also served as a Trustee.
He was a Lifetime Member of the National Education Association; and,
a member of the Arcana Masonic Lodge 580, F and A.M. of Austin, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Haupt is described by former students as an honorable gentlemen who was stern, but fair. They also state that he was smart, intelligent and a math whiz.
He would also take daily walks throughout the community of Austin, stopping to talk to citizens he would pass or who would be working in their yards as he was a friendly and personable man. He always carried an umbrella while walking in case it would rain.
Bob Hooftallen states that
".... he came to our home for the holidays for many, many years, having dinner and just spending time with our family since he didn't have any here." Bob's parents were Judy and Richard Hooftallen who lived on Scoville Street.
Stan Kudock shared the following, " I remember when were were having a reuniion at my dad's house on Summit Street, he was on a walk and we invited him to come visit us. He was retired then and was really pleased to see all of us Kudlock kids, five in all and spend a good time talking of the good ole days."
In the yearbook Dedication below, note that the senior class referred to Mr. Haupt as "our principal and very dear friend".
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| Mr. Haupt is located in the far right in the top row |
Much of the information contained in this article was provided by research conducted by Paul W. Bennett, a former resident of Austin and graduate of the Austin High School.
