John William Havens

December 13, 1929-August 22, 2026

After a long and satisfying life Jack Havens died quietly at home with family by his side. Born in 1929 to Mabel and Charles Havens in Rochester, New York, he was a surprise to a couple who already had three sons and three daughters. Tough times hit the family four years later when Jack’s father died suddenly. The family met this challenge head on and pulled their resources together. Jack, cousin Ginny, and sister Janet the three youngest, grew up well and loved having adult siblings around to set the pace. Jack was an active and rather skinny youth. As he made his neighborhood rounds he became a favorite of the moms who made it their mission to feed him at their tables. Jack often fit in a few warm, delicious dinners before arriving home to fill his spot at the family table.

Jack enjoyed learning which became apparent when at age four he ran away from home and managed to pinch a spot in the local kindergarten class. Alas, he was uncovered and expelled by the teacher who sent him home with instructions to return when he came of age.

After graduating from SUNY Brockport Jack taught science for a year before enlisting in the Air Force becoming a Strategic Air Command Navigation Officer logging 3,000 flight hours in a B-36 Bomber. Good fortune was on the way when Jack was assigned to the Limestone, Maine Military Base, and his first meeting with Norma Lee. At a friend’s wedding Jack was introduced to the lovely and talented Norma Lee Collins. Jack knew a good thing when he saw it, and was able to convince Norma Lee he was the man for her. They were married on January 26, 1957, and enjoyed a life filled with love, family, friends, travel, community service, with a series of basset hounds.

After Jack’s discharge from the Air Force he and Norma Lee moved to New York City. He attended Columbia University and completed his masters and doctorate degrees becoming the first in his family to attend college and graduate school. Mike and Steve were born in New York, and Laura was on the way when they moved to Oneonta in 1960. Jack became a tenured professor at SUNY Oneonta, a job he loved. There he taught undergraduates, honor students, and graduate students for thirty-five years. His enjoyment was even sweeter because of Miss Englehartt who expelled him from kindergarten.

In Oneonta Jack and Norma Lee took up sailing, skiing, summer visits to National Parks with their children, and traveling around the world on geology field trips with faculty friends. They enjoyed their Oneonta life and worked hard to make a positive contribution to the community to show their gratitude for all Oneonta has provided them. In 2021, after 61 years in their State Street home they made the difficult decision to move to The Plains.

Jack and his family are deeply grateful for the support, kindness and compassion he and Norma Lee have received in their later years from Maureen Haviland, Rachel Calvey, and Alicia Darling along with her team. Time and again you were there with encouragement, expertise, thoughtful advice, and a reminder that laughter is the best medicine.

Jack is survived by Norma Lee, his wife of 69 years, children, Michael (Susan) Havens of Prescott Valley, AZ, Steven (Bonnie) Havens of Oneonta, NY, Laura O’Brien (Philip Landry) of Troy, NY, and their grandchildren, Jennifer (Chris) Kegelman of Cooperstown, NY, Daniel O’Brien of West Palm Beach, FL, Katie (John) Van Dyke of Phoenix, AZ, Stephanie (Dustin) Osborne of Bainbridge, NY, Kimberly O’Brien of Schenectady, NY, and Samuel Havens (Andreas Hertl) of Munich Germany, and two great-grandchildren. As well as sister-in-law, Mary Collins of Albuquerque, NM and many nieces and nephews.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.