Phil was crystal clear that he did not want a long, flowery or verbose obituary so we better keep this short…
Phil passed away on October 11, 2012 after a short illness. He was born May 26, 1927 in Missoula, Montana. He graduated from Missoula County High School in 1945 and immediately went into the Navy during WWII. He went on to the University of Montana as a chemistry major until he almost blew up the lab and the professor suggested he consider architecture. He went on to Montana State University and graduated in architectural engineering in 1951 and immediately went into the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Every time he graduated he had to go to war, so he decided to stop graduating.
He met the love of his life, Gloria, in high school and they married in 1952. She preceded him in death last December and we’re sure they’re back together again, happy and healthy and enjoying the Holland Lake cabin from a heavenly point of view. We’re also sure they are watching their two children closely to make sure they keep the place up.
After a 22 year run with the State of Montana as the administrator for the Department of Architecture and Engineering, he and Gloria retired and traveled extensively. Phil and a close friend also set out to golf every course in Montana and succeeded.
He leaves behind his architectural footprint throughout the state of Montana in churches, schools, hospitals, state, city, county and federal buildings, our family homes and our cabin. He was an active community volunteer serving on many boards, commissions, and committees.
One of Phil’s great passions was attending his grandchildren’s activities. No matter what the event, he always had a front row seat.
He was a man of his convictions and ran a tight ship. He believed in pulling yourself up by the bootstraps and self-sufficiency. He didn’t believe in excess or big kitchens. He had a great sense of humor and was one-of-a-kind.
He is survived by his son Phil (Karry) Hauck of Helena; daughter, Pam (Greg) Sheridan of Sammamish, Washington; grandchildren, Courtney Hauck and Ryan Hauck, Cole Sheridan, Sara (Adam) Jack and Dugan (Audrey) Sheridan; 3 ½ great-grandchildren, James, Samantha, Finley and baby girl Jack due in February; sister, Carole Callas; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Kathleen Hauck; sister-in-law, Dolores Wright-Vallaster and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial Mass will be held for Phil at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 19, at the Cathedral of St. Helena with a luncheon reception immediately following. A rite of committal will be held after the reception at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Catholic Diocese of Helena, P.O. Box 1729 Helena, 59624, the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing St., Helena, MT 59601 or a charity of your choice. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Phil, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 North Ewing Street
Helena , Montana 69601
Reception
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 North Ewing Street
Helena , Montana 59601
Inurnment
1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 North Montana Ave.
Helena , Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 North Ewing Street
Helena , Montana 69601
Reception
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 North Ewing Street
Helena , Montana 59601
Inurnment
1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 North Montana Ave.
Helena , Montana 59602
Susan (Dunbar) Bjerke says
Phil Hauck will truly be missed. He touched many lives and I am fortunate to have known him. You did an amazing job capturing the Phil I remember in your obituary. Thanks for sharing.
Dennis McSweeney says
My condolences. What full and wonderful life which is accented by his beautiful children and grandchildren. Our thoughts are with you.
Chuck Zottnick says
So long,old friend. The old gang is slowly leaving us. I am so happy that I got to stop and see him this summer,as I had every summer for many years. You willed be missed,old friend.
Bob Rehfeld says
I entered the 5th grade at St Anthony School in1938 and Phil was one of the first there to greet me. We became Alter Boys, we sang in the all boy choir which included a half hour sing at KGVO on a national stint and a sing at the old church at Stevensville, Mt. for the celebration of their 150th anniversary in 1940. We moved on to the 6th grade and formed the terrible trio of Tom Carry, Phil,and myself. We were top students. Tom and Phil were 1 and 2 for top grades and I was at the top of the lower third of our class. In 1940 my folks moved into Phils neighborhood. We fished, hunted, skied and walked every day to hi-school and were part of the “pld Gang” that Zott refers to above. We grew up of a feather that has clung together for 74 years. Today, Phil seems more like a brother than a friend. He leaves a great vacancy in my past and he will be sorely missed
Gayle Curtis says
I worked for Phil/A&E in 75-77. Phil will ALWAYS be my favorite boss. He and his sense of humor made it a fun place to work. I ran into Phil in Walmart about a year ago, and found that he hadn’t changed a bit. I was SO sad to read of his passing, as I’m sure MANY other are. God bless.
Leonard, Dianna and Naycia Berry says
Phil and Gloria were two of the finest people I ever met. We lived across the street from each other for many years. Both Phil and Gloria treated our daughter like their own. “Babe” Phil referred to as because her name (Naycia) was difficult for him to remember. Gloria would watch out the kitchen window to make sure she made it home from the bus every day. Having been in construction for years, Phil and I would sit at the kitchen table, endlessly telling “construction stories”, sometimes the same story more than once. I learned more at that kitchen table than I ever did in the field. Phil was a great friend and mentor and we will certainly miss him. I settle with the fact that he and Gloria are back together again looking over us…. wondering “what the hell are you building now” !!!
Jeff Pedersen says
I am truly sad about Phil’s passing. He was a great man and I am better for having known him.
Leslie Harrison Stahly says
My thoughts and prayers with you, Flip, Pam and all the Haucks. It’s hard to lose our parents, no matter how old we are. I still miss Mom & Dad ; can’t believe it has been 11 years since they passes – 9 weeks apart, which was a little closer time span than Gloria & Phill. I feel your pain at losing them both in a short amount of time. I think that Phil and Jack (Dad) were so dedicated to Gloria and Betty (Mom) that once they passed, they were ready to join them as soon as they could.
Phil & Gloria and the Haucks are all tied up in my childhood memories of Helena. I hope they are up in heaven with Jack & Betty having a cocktail and laughing, as I remember them together. I am very happy that I was able to attend Gloria’s funeral in December and see Phil one last time. We both got teary, remembering Gloria, Mom & Dad, and all our memories together. I will miss them dearly. The obituary is SO ‘Hauck’ – love it. And love you all. God Bless.