Anchorage Daily News

Lewis Edgar "Lew" Haines, 87, died May 12, 2009, at his home in Anchorage.

A military service for immediate family will be Aug. 14 at Fort Richardson National Cemetery. Friends are invited to attend a celebration of life from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Selkregg Chalet, Russian Jack Springs Park.

Lewis was born June 29, 1921, in East Orange, N.J., to Edgar L. Haines and Grace M. (Borne) Haines.

He graduated from Ludlow High School in Fairfield, Conn., in 1939. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Middlebury College in 1943, a Master of Arts degree from Columbia Teachers College in 1950 and a Ph.D. in educational administration from Washington State University in 1961. He married Verna M. Tones on Dec. 17, 1948, in Sampson, N.Y.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945, the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1946, and remained in the Army Reserves until 1981, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

In 1964, Dr. Haines and family came to Alaska after he accepted a position at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He was employed from 1964 to 1969 as the director of student affairs, dean of students and associate professor of education.

He and his family moved to Anchorage in 1969 after he was named provost of the University of Alaska, Southcentral Region. Under his leadership, the programs grew into the full-fledged accredited school we know today as the University of Alaska Anchorage. The Professional Studies Building, Wells Fargo Sports Complex, Student Union and Wendy Williamson Auditorium, the original six NCAA sports teams and the Great Alaska Shootout are all part of his legacy. He stepped down as provost in 1978 but continued teaching at the university until 1989.

Lew was known by the athletic community to be a friendly, yet fierce, competitor. He was an avid tennis player, golfer and runner, often winning his age group in local races. He was also the father of two Alaska Olympic cross-country skiers and the grandfather of a third.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, "Tone"; sons, Chris Haines (Tracy) and Peter Haines (Dawni); daughters, Deborah Randall (Ronn), Becky Kelly (Pat), Tori Haines, Betsy Haines (Liz Wilson) and Mary Johannes (Mark); grandchildren, Jamie and Aaron Haines; JJ, Colby, Becci, Halee, Sean, Max and DJ Haines; Allison and Taylor Haines; Kikkan, Tanner and Kalli Randall; and Kelsey and Kira Johannes, all of Anchorage; Chris, Chelsea and Casey Kelly of Sarasota, Fla.; and Luise and Jessie Walter of Rockford, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Bill, and his son-in-law, Mark Walter.

Memorial contributions may be made to a special account at First National Bank Alaska, account No. 30678668, in the name of Deborah Randall, P.O. Box 200668, Anchorage 99520.

ADVERTISEMENT