Haas, Paul Philip (1918-1996)

Rev. Haas was born to Milton and Minnie (Buchman) Haas, on March 7, 1918 in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania. He died at the age of 78, survived by his wife and two daughters. He was a minister in the UCC and former executive director of the Phoebe Home, Allentown. He was executive director of the Phoebe Home from 1971 until retirement in 1984. He previously was director of resident services for eight years. Haas was instrumental in the development of the Phoebe Apartments and the Phoebe Terrace. He guided three major additions to the home in 1968, 1979, and 1982. As a minister, he was pastor of the Bern-Spies charge (near Reading), 1942-1950; Zion's (Spies) Church, 1950-1953; and St. John's UCC, Slatington, 1953-1963. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in history from Ursinus College, Collegeville, in 1939. A 1942 graduate of the Lancaster Seminary, with a bachelor of divinity degree, he earned his master's degree in administration in 1967 from Temple University. Haas received from Ursinus College a doctor of divinity degree in 1966 and an honorary doctor of divinity degree in 1970. He was ordained as a minister in the E & R Church at St. John's UCC, Fogelsville, in 1942. After retiring, he was interim minister of St. John's UCC, Allentown, 1984; interim conference minister, Penn Northeast Conference of the UCC, 1985-1986, and Sept.-Oct. 1993; interim pastor at St. John's UCC, Slatington, 1987-1988, and its pastor emeritus, and supply pastor at St. Paul's UCC, Seiberlingsville, 1990-1994. He was interim president of Phoebe Homes, 1994-1995. Active in denominational affairs, he was a frequent delegate to General Synod. He was secretary of the Board of National Missions of the E&R Church. Later he was on the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, where he was chairman of the budget committee and vice president and president of the corporation. He served on the board of directors and executive committee for the Penn Northeast Conference and was chairman of the staff and personel committee. He was past president of the Council for Health and Welfare of the UCC. In his community, Haas was director of the Health Systems Council and a member of the community service committee of Lehigh County Community College and a member of the advisory committee for nursing programs at Kutztown University. In addition, he was executive director of the Pennsylvania Assisting Non-Profit Homes for Aging, 1990-1991, and the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, UCC, 1990-1991. He was former board member of Lancaster Theological Seminary. He was president of the Mount Penn, Reading, Rotary Club and the Slatington Rotary Club, 1961-1962.