Robert Melvin Hauss

Bob Hauss Lenoir, NC- Robert M. (Bob) Hauss passed away Monday, March 11 at Catawba Regional Hospice. He was born August 25, 1930 to the late Rev. Rufus M. Hauss and Louise Bumgardner Hauss. He was also preceded in death by his twin brother, George Thomas Hauss. Bob, as everyone called him was born I Badin, NC and being that his father was a Methodist Minister has lived in Winston-Salem, Candler, Greensboro, Ramseur, and Shelby. He finished Shelby High School and attended Brevard College. He served in the Army in the Medical Corps for two years. After service he moved back to Shelby, and then moved to Lenoir in 1952. He worked for Pendry’s Funeral Home for 6 years after which he served Lenoir on the Police Department for 6 years. He then worked for Barringer Oil Company and Midstate Oil Jobbers Management Institute for 11 years. He served on the Education Committee of N.C. Oil Jobbers. He also was a former president of the Caldwell County Oil Jobbers. Bob loved sports and served the Lenoir High School Athletic Association as its president for two years. He was a member of the Chain Crew for 3 years at Lenoir High School and moved to West Caldwell High School for a number of years, after which he did the stats. He was a former umpire of the Lenoir Little League and served as its safety officer. He was the co-tournament director for years for the Semi-Pro Baseball League and served on the board of Lenoir Oilers Baseball Team. He has served as the tournament director of Holiday Foods, and Citgo Golf tournament over the years and has helped raise over $200,000 for muscular dystrophy. Bob also belonged to the Lenoir Optimist Club where he served as Secretary-Treasurer, former president, member of the Board of Directors, and served on various committees in the club.  He has served the North Carolina District as a Lt. Governor twice and served on numerous state committees. Bob served as Governor of the North Carolina West District during the year 1984-85. He has taught classes on the International Level and served as a member of the Rules Committees for Optimist International and was an Optimist International Foundation representative. He has attended numerous International Conventions. He was elected as a charter member of the North Carolina West’s Optimist District Hall of Fame. He is a member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church where he has served as choir director, member of the choir, chairman and member of the church council, Sunday School teacher, and has served on various other committees. Bob served on the Board of Directors of Foothills Performing Arts as member and chairman. He performed in 28 productions was honored with the Doug Carter Award. Bob community activities were numerous. He loved to play Santa Claus and did so for years for schools and other organizations. He loved the smiles from the children and the excitement they displayed. Bob was a member of the Caldwell Men’s Chorus, and a member of the Lenoir Golf Club where he served on its board and was their President for two years. Bob was awarded the Lenoir’s Man of the Year by the Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce in 1999. He also served the Celebration of Life for 14 years as its emcee for the Caldwell County Social Service Department. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Louise Lingle Hauss of the home; one daughter, Cynthia Carol Hauss, of Lenoir, NC; one son, Robert Eric Hauss and wife, Audrey, of Claremount, NC; one grandson, Graham Travis Hauss of Charlotte, NC; one step-granddaughter, Anna Rockett of Charleston, SC; and one step-grandson, Russell Rock PDF Printable Version