HAEFNER, Retired Col. Earl W. --- 1899-1980

BICKEL, HAEFNER, BRANDT, PALO

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 1/17/2011 at 15:20:09

Retired Col. Earl W. Haefner

Retired Col. Earl W. Haefner, 80, died Feb. 4, 1980 at Veterans Hospital in Grand Jct., CO. After memorial services there, interment was in Bloomfield Cemetery at Castalia. He served in both World Wars and the Korean War, during which he was assigned to the Army's General Staff in the Pentagon.

He was born at Froelich, Iowa, Nov. 2, 1899. His parents, William H. and Etta (Bickel) Haefner moved to Castalia in 1902. Earl united in marriage with Clara Anna Brandt of Postville at Waterloo, May 5, 1923. He was a member of the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Boston and a life member of Masonic bodies.

After graduating from the Castalia high school, he immediately began work in the Castalia garage, which led to a 55 year career in the motor industry. This career included 10 years as an Iowa Ford dealer and 13 years with Chrysler Corporation in engineering and executive positions.

He then joined Borg-Warner Corporation in International Engineering and Manufacturing with major assignments in Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Spain and South Africa. He retired as founder Chairman and Managing Director of Borg-Warner South Africa.

He was a longtime member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, a contributing author for two books and various technical and management publications. After retirement he authored his book, 'MEMOIRS of a Small Town Iowan and Fifty-five Years of the Fabulous Motor Car". He also was feature editor of the Bulb Horn, a national publication of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America. Two recent articles were "Of Cars and Men" and "The Saga of the Dusenberg Brothers".

Surviving in addition to Mrs. Haefner are one daughter, Mrs. David (Margaret) Palo; one son, Earl W. Haefner, Jr., both of Grand Jct., CO; four grandchildren; one brother and three sisters.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.