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HAIRE -- Richard "Rick" C. Haire, age 59, died unexpectedly on Thursday, April 26. Rick was preceded in death by his parents, John and Betty Haire and his younger sister, Maureen "Moe" Haire Baxter. He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Penny Haire; his sister and brother-in-law, Jack and Joyce Foley from Schenectady, NY; niece, Stacy Baxter of Albuquerque; in-laws, Charlie and Bonnie Burk of Albuquerque; James and Helen Beth MacArthur of Palm Desert, CA, David and Fran Duntz of Hanscomb Air Force Base, MA; James and Norma Jean Baxter of Albuquerque; and nephews, Jamie MacArthur and Mark Duntz. Rick was born on May 22, 1947 in New York City. His schooling began in Queens, NY. He graduated Valedictorian from Commack (Long Island) High School in 1964 and attended the State University of New York at Buffalo where he majored in Psychology and graduated Cum Laude in 1969. Rick earned his Master's Degree in Education at Syracuse University in 1970. He worked for a while as a Good Humor Ice Cream vendor and then became a United Parcel Service driver. His true calling started in 1971, when he began teaching at Adobe Acres Elementary School in Albuquerque. Rick relocated to New Mexico because his parents had always liked this area and planned to retire in Albuquerque. Rick later transferred to John Baker Elementary School in 1978 and then to Corrales Elementary in 1979 where he taught 6th grade until his retirement in 2002. During his retirement ceremonies, Rick received recognition for his outstanding work from his peers, his former students, the Village of Corrales, State Board of Education of New Mexico, as well as recognition for his 32 years of exemplary teaching from the U.S. House of Representative and the U.S. Senate. When Rick was asked to explain his teaching philosophy, he replied, "What I would tell my students is that they have to work hard, learn a lot and have fun". This philosophy carried over into everything Rick did in his life, including starting a new career after his retirement as office manager for Hughes Southwest Court Reporters; an Albuquerque based firm. He was a sport enthusiast his entire life. In his formative years, Rick was active in softball, hockey and tennis leagues. He continued to play these sports, but also enjoyed biking, all water sports, skiing, and became a triathlete. A sport Rick especially enjoyed sharing with his wife, family and friends was golf. There are no calling hours. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service celebration of Rick's life to be held at the Reception Hall at UNM South Golf Course located on University Blvd. SE on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Humane Association of NM, 615 Virginia, SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 or to the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, Central New Mexico Affiliate, PO Box 92110, Albuquerque, NM 87199-2110. French Mortuary, Inc. 9300 Golf Course Rd. NW (505) 897-0300 www.frenchmortuary.com
        Published on: Sun April 29, 2007