Alan Havig, of Columbia passed away on January 8, 2020. Alan was born in Litchfield MN, Aug. 26, 1940. He was the son of Harold Rolf Havig and Blanche Sylvia (Peterson) Havig. He grew up in Owatonna MN where he graduated from Owatonna High School in 1958. He attended St. Olaf College in Northfield MN where he received his bachelor’s degree and earned PHI BETA KAPPA in 1962. He received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to do graduate studies in American history at the University of Missouri. Alan received his Master’s degree and later his PhD in American history in 1966 at age 25.
Alan took a teaching position at Stephens College in 1967 where he continued to teach
American History, American Studies and Popular Culture until his retirement in 2005. He then served as college archivist and continued to work diligently in that role for more than ten years, preserving and promoting the history of the college. The Stephens college archives where moved to the college library and dedicated as the “Dr. Alan R. Havig Archives” on August 15, 2019 in recognition of his commitment and years of service. He was recognized by the State Historical Society of Missouri for volunteer service when the society awarded him the Distinguished Service Award in 2008. In 2015 Stephens college established the Alan R. Havig Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of his decades of service and dedication.
Alan never lost his enthusiasm for history. He was working on articles of interest to him until his
was no longer able to do so and left a true legacy behind for the students who knew him and to all those who will enjoy his work for years to come. He was the author of several books including Fred Allen, Radio Comedy (1991); From Southern Village to Midwestern City, an Illustrated history of Columbia, Missouri (1984); and A Centennial History of the State Historical Society of Missouri (1998); additional books and chapters, as well as numerous scholarly articles.
He won multiple awards for distinguished teaching and advising, including the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2002.
Alan was a member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Columbia, he loved to garden. He spent several summers in Wyoming volunteering for conservation projects. He loved animals, especially his cats, and walked at the ARC daily until only weeks before his passing. His neighbors knew him as a valued resident of “the lane”. Students he worked with over the years have continued to stay in touch about their lives after Stephens College. His kindness, generosity, gentle spirit, bright intelligence, sense of humor has touched the lives of many, and lives on in our hearts, today and forever.
Alan is survived by his wife, Bettina (Baker) Havig, his daughter, Kirsten Havig, his sister, Margaret (Havig) Daniher and husband Charles Daniher, his sister-in-law, Frances Baker, and nieces Karen Griego and Christy Millsap.
Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made online at stephens.edu/giving or mailed to: Attention Havig Memorial, Stephens College, 1200 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65215.
A service celebrating his life will take place on March 14, 11:00 a.m. at Firestone Baars Chapel on the Stephen College campus.
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