Lawrence J. Haims
1935-2016
From The Vindicator
YOUNGSTOWN – Lawrence J. Haims, 80, Youngstown State University professor emeritus, died of natural causes January 4, 2016 at Heritage Manor in Youngstown.
Born in New Castle, Pa., Jan. 6, 1935, he was the son of the late Edward and Evelyn M. Haims.
He held degrees from the University of Michigan (B.A. in Economics in 1956) and the University of Pittsburgh (M.Ed. in 1970, and Ph.D. in 1972).
He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1963. He taught 12th grade Social Studies from 1962 to 1969, and served as the president of the Churchill (Pennsylvania) Area Education Association from 1968 to 1969. From 1971 to 1972, he was a teaching fellow at the University of Pittsburgh and part-time instructor at Carnegie Mellon University. He joined the faculty of Youngstown State University in 1972 and retired in 1996, having served terms as chair of the Department of Foundations of Education and assistant to the dean of the College of Education. In 1973, D. C. Heath published his book Sex Education and the Public Schools. A lifelong emeritus member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, he was also a member of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, and served as advisor to the Eta Xi chapter at Y.S.U.
A talented pianist, he began study at age 14 with the late Mary E. Fankhauser of the Dana School of Music. That same year, he placed first in the district and semifinals of a state-wide piano competition in Ohio and was runner-up to a 35-year-old pianist in the finals. Later, at age 17, he placed second in the 1952 Pennsylvania Music League State Contest. His love and knowledge of music was evident throughout his life. He served on the board of the Youngstown Symphony Society, including a term as president. For several years he provided program notes for Youngstown Symphony Orchestra concerts.
He and his wife, Barbara Brothers, were patrons of the Cleveland Orchestra, as well and attended musical performances throughout the United States and Europe, including a symphony concert in Cairo.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Brothers, whom he married in 1980; his daughters, Marla Haims (husband Raviv Cohen) and Emily Haims (husband Eric) Ludwig; his two stepchildren, Jill Brothers and Mark Brothers; and nine grandchildren, Evan, Corinne, Claire and Laurel Brothers, Caitlin, Ian and Evelyn Ludwig, and Eitan and Noga Cohen. He is also survived by his brother, Jack (wife Elaine) Haims and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Larry was the 190th classmate to walk down the aisle at graduation. After his name in the Yearbook, it reads: Senatus Romanus 11, 12; Orchestra 10; Spanish Club 11, 12; Basketball 11; Home Room Representative 12.
Barbara and Larry Haims at the 62nd Reunion
