John W. Haefeli

John W. Haefeli lived this every day of his life, arguably best illustrated in his teaching and volunteering. As an educator, he laid the path of academic achievement and personal growth for his students in middle school, high school, and college. He knew how to build an inclusive community where “all means all,” and students and colleagues alike felt valued. John invited everyone around him to rise, to elevate, and to discover the best parts of themselves. With that same spirit, he dove into volunteering. He credited his mother for teaching him that caring and loving were of paramount importance. He volunteered myriad ways, but he did have a favorite. John’s beloved therapy dog Emma became a healer at UCHealth among the staff and patients where she won Employee of the Month.

John also was involved in athletics for most of his life. Among his most valued experiences were playing baseball at CSU, coaching baseball at UNC, coaching tennis, officiating basketball for over 40 years at all levels, most notably Division 1, NCAA, and National Finals. He continued this vigorous physical pursuit through hiking and especially fishing.

For all this, he was well celebrated, being awarded Hall of Fame status for High School Basketball Officials and also at Greeley West High School after being recognized as Teacher of the Year. He was an Honor Alumni at both University High School and the University of Northern Colorado, a distinction he proudly shared with his wife Delia and his mother. Most recently, John was honored with the CSU Health and Human Services Award, The Boys and Girls Club first ever “The John Haefeli Hearts and Hands Award,” and The Haefeli Classroom at the Poudre Learning Center alongside his wife whom he called Darling Delia.

John loved Greeley. He was so proud to be a native in the town where his family roots go back more than 100 years, and his personal roots run through the community where he loved the people and served them well. He invested his time, gifts, and resources so generously and creatively into everyone he knew.

Even among all these honors and experiences, John’s favorite part of his life was sharing it with Darling Delia whom he described as tough, passionate, loving, kind, a great educator, captain of his team, and his best friend. They were married for 31 years. He couldn’t choose the best trip or destination, instead saying his favorite experience was to fish with Delia. He often was asked about his favorite water, and his answer was “The one I’m on with her. She is the greatest thing to ever happen to me.”

In his iconic style, after throwing out the first pitch at a championship baseball game that morning, John died surrounded by his family on May 31, 2025 of pancreatic cancer. He was 67 years old. He was preceded in death by his cherished mother and father, Julianne Fischer Haefeli and Dr. Joseph L. Haefeli. He is survived by his wife, Darling Delia, and their three daughters: Sandra Pike, Lauren Ashley Larson, and Nicole Larson Fuller. He also is survived by his sister Ann Scott with her husband Peter and their children Amy Couchman and Phillip Scheller and by his brother, Joseph Haefeli. John’s faith in God was the foundation of his life, and he was confident in his path to heaven.

John Haefeli had one great question for us all: “What’s your legacy going to be when you walk away? Use your gifts to make the world a better place.”

Services will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greeley, Thursday June 19th. A rosary will take place at 10:30 a.m., Mass at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at the Poudre Learning Center immediately following the service. John requested we wear shorts and a hoodie or vest. If you’d like to offer a gift in John’s name, donations can be made to The Delia & John W. Haefeli Opportunity Fund at the Weld Community Foundation (https://cfsgwc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1533) and CSU John W. Haefeli Education Scholarship, (https://col.st/GeF3T) or via Allnutt Funeral Service - Macy Chapel.

Link to join livestream: http://www.ckpmediaservices.com/johnhaefeli