Charles ''Bob'' R. Haag

Charles Robert ''Bob'' Haag born July 3, 1931 at Bakersfield, CA. son of pioneer Kern County residents Walter and Hazel Lee (Haag) Haag. Graduate of Bakersfield High School, Bakersfield College and UCLA. Following the awarding of his Ph.D. degree he served in the 82nd Airborne Division Band, U.S. Army and as Chaplain's Assistant for the 18th Airborne Corps. He served at El Camino College for 40 years as professor, Dean of Community Services, impresario of Marsee Auditorium and Foundation Executive Director. Upon his retirement, he was elected to the ECC Board of Trustees, served 2 1/2 terms, and was President of the Board at his death. He was an organizer and early president of the Western Arts Alliance, board member of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, active member and president of Travel Adventures Cinema Society, all part of his management of the auditorium. He served on the Boards of Beach Cities Symphony and Community Concerts, was a Sterling Patron of Mu Phi Epsilon international music sorority, was a past president of Torrance Rotary and a frequent judge for and a member of the Music Teachers Association.

In later years he added a M.Div degree, Fuller Theological Seminary and ordination as a Presbyterian Minister. He was organist for several churches, including Covenant Presbyterian, Westchester and Calvary Presbyterian, Hawthorne, where he was also Parish Associate.

He soloed with several local orchestras. He was the first person to play the complete piano works of Haydn and Schubert in recital in Southern California and the second to play the complete Beethoven piano works, performing them in several series of recitals.

For more than 20 years Haag used his extensive knowledge of history and music as he and his wife, Mary, led travel groups for Petker Tours to Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

He is survived by his wife Mary Anderson Haag, brother-in-law Robert Anderson (Nelda), Bellingham, WA, niece Patrice Anderson Lynch, Woodland Hills, nephew Tom Anderson, Wasilla, AK and many cousins and friends.

Memorial services will be Saturday, January 22, 2005, 10:30 a.m. at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 13560 Hawthorne Blvd., Hawthorne. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Robert Haag Music Scholarship Fund, El Camino College Foundation, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance 90506 or Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862.