10/24/28 – 3/11/18
Donald Theodore Haller, husband, father, marriage counselor and musician, died peacefully with his daughters at his side on Sunday morning March 11, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan at age 89.
Donald was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 24, 1928 to Adele (Hoefs) and Hugo Haller. He was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated from Washington High School in 1946. He attended Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee, receiving a Teacher Certificate in 1948 and Diploma in 1949. Don served in the U.S. Navy in active duty from 1950-54, during the Korean War. He played French horn, trumpet and keyboard in the U.S. Navy Bands and was stationed on the Battleship Missouri.
On March 19, 1955 he married Lorraine Jean Brown of Bethel, Minnesota, daughter of Ethel and Louis Brown.
In 1957 he received a BA with honors from Michigan State University where he studied Music Therapy. Driven by his interest in the “therapy” aspect of his studies, he attended the University of Michigan Graduate School of Social Work, where he received a Masters Degree in Social Work in 1959. As a psychiatric social worker, Haller’s work experience included positions at Children’s Psychiatric Hospital in Dayton, Ohio (1959-61); Swedish-American Hospital in Rockford, Illinois (1965-70), and Children’s Psychiatric Hospital at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
From 1973-1993 Haller held the unique position of Marriage Counselor for Washtenaw County Friend of the Court, counseling couples who had filed for divorce – and in many cases, leading them toward reconciliation. During this time, he was a popular guest on Ted Heisel’s radio show (WHRV-AM), where he would take questions from call-in listeners.
Haller was a gifted keyboard player. During the 1990’s he performed frequently as an organist at horse shows in the U.S. and Canada, garnering acclaim from judges and riders alike for his ability to support the horses and riders with music that matched their style and gait.
From the 1970’s through the 1990’s, Haller performed frequently on theater organs at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, Redford Theatre in Redford, Michigan, and the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan, where he opened for some of their major acts. In the 1980s he recorded, with a live audience, “Old-Time Sing-Along: 88 Favorite Songs Recorded with Audience on the Redford Theatre Organ.” Over the years he gave out hundreds of these “Sing-a-Long” CDs to friends and strangers alike, and found great joy in doing so.
Haller also volunteered as a pianist at hospitals and nursing homes in the Ann Arbor area.
Haller was a passionate advocate for those with intellectual and physical disabilities. He and Lorraine took loving care of his brother, Thomas (Tommy, b. 1935) throughout Tommy’s life, caring for him in their home during Tommy’s later years.
Donald was preceded in death by both parents and by his two brothers, Harold Haller and Thomas Haller. In addition to his wife, Lorraine, Donald is survived by his daughters Mary Haller (Kevin Donohoe) and Carol Lander (Robert); and grandchildren Lori Donohoe, John Lander and Ben Lander.
Donald loved the majesty of the theater organ and its range of sounds, from the deep bass notes of the pedal pipes to car horns and bird whistles. But his true satisfaction was found in the collective voices of an audience singing along as he played "God Bless America" or "Edelweiss" in a darkened theater, or the smiles of children gathered around the large horseshoe-shaped keyboard as he performed. He was equally at home strolling the aisles of Costco and chatting with the greeters, handing out his CD to fellow customers at Lucas Coney Island, and enjoying a quiet boat ride on the Island Queen at Kensington Park with his beloved wife Lorraine.
Visitation will be at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 S. Fourth Avenue, Ann Arbor, on Sunday, March 18, from 10:30am-12noon. Funeral services to follow immediately afterward at Muehlig at 12noon (Rev. Melissa Anne Rogers officiating). Donald will be laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery, 415 Observatory St, Ann Arbor on Monday, March 19, at the 3:00 pm with military honors under the auspices of the Veteran's Honor Guard of Washtenaw County.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels, 2025 Traverwood Suite F, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2197.
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