Mr. Douglas Fraser Haist

Photo / Flag Haist, Douglas Fraser MADISON-Douglas Fraser Haist, age 87, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2013. He was born on Oct. 12, 1925, in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. Doug was the only child of Elizabeth (Young) and Herbert Haist. He lived his early years in Michigan and California. Following a year at Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich., Doug came to Madison in 1945 as part of the US Navy V-12 Officer Training program at the University of Wisconsin. While in Madison, Doug made frequent visits to the Victory Service Center, opened by Rev. Charles Polley, and where he met his life-long friend Chuck Polley and and future wife, Wilma Polley. After earning his commission, Doug was sent to the Navy Supply Corps School at Harvard University and was assigned to the destroyer Newman K. Perry, followed by the destroyer Robert H. McCord as their Supply, Disbursing and Commissary Officer. While on the Perry, he participated in Operation Crossroads, the test explosion of the first post-World War II atomic bombs in Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands. After being released from active duty, Doug received his degree in civil engineering in 1948 from UW-Madison. A career State employee, Doug worked for the Wisconsin Highway Commission in Milwaukee, the Division of Planning and Research in Madison, and the Department of Transportation, where Doug retired as Administrator of the Division of Transportation Assistance in 1986. During his working years, Doug held leadership positions in many transportation planning and engineering organizations, and frequently lectured on transportation planning and engineering on college campuses. Doug and Wilma were married by her father, Rev. Charles R. Polley on Aug. 20, 1949. They lived their married life in Madison and had two daughters, Elizabeth and Carolyn. Doug was very active in the Madison Bible Fellowship Church and later Buckeye Evangelical Free Church of Madison. In his later years, he attended Grace Evangelical Church of Madison. Founded by Wilma’s father, Doug was passionate about the development and ongoing planning of Lake Waubesa Bible Camp in McFarland. He was involved in the formation of the Blue Line Club, the sponsor and promoter group for the University of Wisconsin and youth hockey in the Madison area. Until limited by health issues, he enjoyed his vegetable garden, traveling, and bowling and golfing with his Church buddies. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Wilma; daughters, Beth of Monona and Carolyn (Randy) Pollek of Middleton, and their two sons, Chris of Madison and Drew of Milwaukee; his brother-in-law, Chuck (Doris) Polley; and nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Oak Park Assisted Living staff for their compassionate care of Doug. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2013, with the Rev. Paul Bawden presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lake Waubesa Bible Camp, 2851 Crescent Dr., McFarland WI 53558. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2013. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.