Robert Haver Obituary

Family-Placed Death Notice

HAVER, Robert ROBERT WAYNE HAVER Robert Wayne Haver, of Decatur, passed away Thursday, December 11, 2008. Son of Harry and Phyllis John Haver, he was born in Newcomerstown, OH on Dec. 23, 1924. He attended Ohio University and David Lipscomb College in Nashville, earning a BA; he was the first person in his family to graduate from college. He later earned a graduate degree in teaching from Emory University. He married Marceline Dicks of Lake City, Florida in 1950. He preached for the Church of Christ until leaving the ministry in 1965. He was also a chemistry teacher for Atlanta Public Schools. He taught at Southwest and Therrell High Schools until he retired in 1986. After leaving the Church of Christ, he and his wife were members of Peachtree Christian Church. In 1979, began attending the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta where they remained. He was active throughout his life in social justice issues, including civil rights, gay rights and the rights of the mentally disabled. He served, along with Rev. James Costen, as co-chair of Southwest Atlantans for Progress (SWAP) in the 1960's promoting neighborhood integration. He was instrumental in the establishment of 6 group homes for the mentally disabled in South Fulton County. He was active in Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. He is survived by his wife, Marceline Haver; four children, Lowell Haver of Atlanta, Sandra Ayenew of Clarkston, Dr. Paul Haver of Athens, GA and Charles Haver of Atlanta; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; a sister, Betty Herron of Dover, OH, and a brother, Edgar Haver of Fallbrook, CA. His oldest son, Donald Haver, died of cancer in 1988. Because of the devoted care of his loving wife, Marceline, he was able to live out his illness in the comfort of his home, finally passing peacefully in the company of his family. The family is grateful for the compassionate care provided by Hospice Care workers and volunteers in the final weeks of his life. A memorial service will be held at 2pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, located at 1911 Cliff Valley Way, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to EnAble of Georgia Foundation, Inc. at 1200 Old Ellis Rd., Roswell, GA 30076.