Dale Rudolph Siegfried Haupt, 88, passed away April 3rd, after an extended illness. Born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Dale earned his toughness growing up on the family dairy farm and working in the family tavern, while playing football, baseball, and participating in Gold Glove Boxing with one knock-out.
Dale played Semi-Pro football in Wisconsin, where he is enshrined in the Manitowoc Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1954, after being captain, team most-valuable player, and All-Conference player. After serving time in the Army where he also played football, he joined the Green Bay Packers for the preseason. Dale began his distinguished coaching career at the University of Wyoming. He also coached at the University of Tennessee, Iowa State University, and the University of Richmond when the team won the Tangerine Bowl in 1968, and he was named Coach of the Year in 1969. He was the defensive line coach at North Carolina State University from 1971 to 1977, winning bowl games in 1972, 1973, and 1977. He earned his master’s degree from East Carolina University during his college coaching career. Coach Haupt joined the National Football League with the Chicago Bears, from 1978-1986, culminating with a victory in Super Bowl XX and the single season sack record of 72 which still stands today; and the Philadelphia Eagles from 1986-1994. After retiring from the NFL, he coached defensive line at the Coast Guard Academy, leading them to their most wins in school history.
Dale is survived by his wife Frances McNeill Haupt, of Laurinburg, North Carolina; his son Mac and wife, Beth, of Cary, NC; daughter Helen and husband Brian, also of Cary; and 9 grandchildren: David, Duncan, Dylan, and Daniel Haupt, Mollie & Kellie McGee, & Barry, Spencer, and Mary Bowman. He is also survived by his favorite sister, Carol, and her husband, Jim, of Manitowoc, WI; Dale’s sister-in-law Gloria, of Ennis, TX and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Milton and Hedwig (Hattie) Haupt; brothers, Roy, Wayne, and Milt; and his son David McColl Haupt, at age 5.
A celebration of his long life will be held on Friday, April 20th, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC. at 2pm. with a reception and memorial celebration to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Mary Claire Kaufman Scholarship Endowment, Care of: The University of Wyoming Foundation, 222 South 22nd Street, Laramie, WY 82070.” Online memorial gift via card can be made on this secured webpage: http://www.uwyo.edu/giveonline . After selecting a gift amount, the subsequent webpage allows you to type “Mary Claire Kaufman Scholarship Endowment” in the text box associated with “Other Fund Not Listed (please specify)” of the Gift Designation section. There is a box at the bottom of that page to designate the gift as a memorial gift for Dale.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Scotia Village Retirement Community in Laurinburg, NC, for their thoughtful and attentive care to Dale, where everyone greeted him as “Coach Haupt.”
Dale felt very fortunate and honored to work with so many wonderful coaches and players over the years. He once revealed his coaching philosophy to a friend: "my goal was to take whatever potential the player had and make them the best they could be, both on and off the field. It was more important to me to be respected as their teacher and coach than to be their best friend.” His greatest reward professionally, besides watching his players make it to bowl games, including college and Pro-Bowl, and the Superbowl, and the Hall of Fame, was the continued camaraderie with his players and colleagues.
