Martin Hiram Haack, 91, was known as a compassionate pastor, humble leader, loving husband, gracious father and faithful friend to all who knew him. He passed away on July 26, 2021, after courageously battling Parkinson’s disease. His wife of 71 years, Sharon Faith Haack (Faith), also 91, was by his side.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 9 at Bethel Church, 132 Kirkland Road, Chehalis, Washington.
Martin was born June 16, 1930, in Pembroke, Ontario. He was the second oldest of seven children born to Martin and Selma Haack. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Eunice and brothers Hiram, John and Donald. Martin and Donald were especially close and passed within weeks of each other. Still residing in Washington state are his sisters Esther and Miriam.
Martin spent part of his childhood in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Klamath Falls, Oregon, before his family settled in the greater Seattle area. He was a star athlete on the football, basketball and track teams at Arlington High School where he was recruited to play football by several colleges. He eventually followed a different path — going into full-time ministry to answer what he said was, “God’s call on my life to preach the gospel and love people.”
Martin was ordained with the Assemblies of God and ministered throughout Washington state including the cities of Poulsbo, Wapato, Port Angeles, Spokane, Chehalis and Tacoma. He and Faith were also founding members of the musical group “The Gospel Westernaires,” which launched a popular television show that ran from 1953 to 1955.
Between 1951 and 1961, Martin and Faith had five children: Shane Hope, Rosalyn Grace, Cynthia Joy, Frederick Karl and Valerie Ruth. Together, they have 15 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Martin loved each one dearly and prayed for them daily.
Martin enjoyed flying and earned several pilot licenses including a commercial rating, floatplane rating and instrument rating. He also loved sports and continued playing every chance he could get.
After officially retiring from his last full-time ministry assignment at Neighborhood Church, Tacoma, Martin kept serving part-time at various churches across Washington, including Kettle Falls, Morton, Randle and Life Center, Tacoma. He also served as chaplain at a retirement center in Palm Springs, California.
Eventually, Martin was unable to travel, and he and Faith chose to live out the rest of their retirement years in Chehalis. This last year and a half brought many physical challenges to Martin with the degeneration of his joints and other complications from Parkinson’s.
Three weeks before his passing, Martin and Faith moved to an assisted living facility in Bellevue. In his typical, gracious manner, Martin complimented the good food he was able to eat, appreciated the thoughtful care he was receiving, and took time to express love and concern for the people who were there to care for him.
Pastor Martin Haack leaves a legacy of love, grace and kindness to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.
