Allan Robert Haeger, age 74, of East Troy, WI, passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023 surrounded by family. Son of Robert and Carolyn (Neely) Haeger, Al was raised in Westchester, IL and after graduating from Proviso West HS, he majored in Engineering Physics at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. During his third semester, he was introduced to fellow sophomore Linda Pauley; they were married ten months later and celebrated their 54th anniversary this past August.
Al began his career teaching physics at Central High School in LaCrosse, WI, but soon recognized that he wanted to have an impact on a more diverse group of students. Upon earning a Masters in Education from the University of Illinois, he taught at Joliet Central High School (IL) for several years. During this time, he and his family became active members of First Presbyterian Church of Joliet, where he served in several lay leadership positions. After his teaching career, Al began working at Commonwealth Edison/Exelon, where he held many management roles in multiple departments. Upon retirement, he transitioned to a position with the nuclear power consulting firm Certrec. His final venture was to co-found SailZing, LLC, a website designed to teach competitive racing skills and provide resources to fellow sailors.
He is survived by his wife Linda, and children Jeff (Bonnie) Haeger and Julie Bortoli, as well as grandchildren Jada and Jonah Boykin, Alexandra (Andrew) Horstman, Adelyn Haeger and Luke Bortoli. He is also survived by sisters Laurie Kokenes, Barbara Popelka and Lisa Haeger, his beloved uncle Milt, several cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
Al’s life was defined by faith, his love of family, music, sailing, and making meaningful connections with people. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Mukwonago, the Lake Beulah Yacht Club (WI), the Lake Eustis Yacht Club (FL) and the Inland Lake Yachting Association (2022 Member of the Year).
Visitation will be Friday, March 3, 2023 from 4-7 p.m. at the Schmidt & Bartelt funeral home, 930 Main Street, Mukwonago, WI, 53149. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the First Congregational Church, 231 Roberts Drive, Mukwonago, WI, 53149. Following the service, a reception will be held at Lake Beulah Yacht Club, N9220 East Shore Road, East Troy, WI, 53120.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Congregational Church of Mukwonago, WI, the Advanced Care Center/Froedtert Hospital of Wauwatosa, WI or ProMedica Hospice of Kenosha, WI.
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AL HAEGER Named ILYA Member of the Year
The Inland Lake Yachting Association honored Beulah's Al Haeger with the Hunt Trophy for his endless work promoting scow sailing. Al is the creative force behind SailZing, a website reaching internationally to promote scow sailing. SailZing provides education in the form of rules, tuning guides, videos and interviews with the nation's best.
Al has served the ILYA wearing many hats. For many years he was the MC fleet representative. He was noted for the communication he provided the fleet but listening regularly to their desires via formal surveys and contact. Al led the charge with several others in the 2017 Fair Sailing initiative - an educational series to actively change behavior on the race course by teaching rules in an interactive manner using his SailZing platform - and by his and others' example on the water and shore. In the past year, Al has served the ILYA as chair of the Sailing Directors Council which is a body of sailing school directors who collaborate to improve the administration of local schools.
The ILYA is proud of Al's distinguished work and energy to promote scow sailing. Lake Beulah Yacht Club is proud to call him our own.
https://sailzing.com/allan-haeger-legacy-of-giving/
https://sailzing.com/