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 Tony
DeHaas--The greatest benefit of the Houston Livestock
Show and Rodeo is the
people you meet throughout the year during various rodeo
events: staff, volunteers, patrons and fans! The opportunity
to share mouth watering Texas BarBeQue while celebrating
the most exciting rodeo in the world is a valued pleasure
of life.
Tony DeHaas was on of those rare souls that brought joy
to each adventure and made even the most stressful tasks
worth wearing a smile not just during the big event, but
in between the buzzers when you have time to quietly reflect.
As my first Chairman of the Membership Committee, Tony
lead by example; his interest was never in personal glorification
but in encouraging, motivating and rewarding the volunteers
around him. With a draw on his pipe, he always offered
a handshake and smile with a joke not far behind in the
conversation.
He wasn't born in Texas but got here as soon as possible!
Tony was always down home hospitality and warmth garnered
from a heart bred in the country; born in Harrison, Arkansas
in 1940 to Herman and Golda DeHaas, Tony was raised in
Hawarden, Iowa and graduated from the University of South
Dakota in 1963 with a degree in Journalism. Looking to
serve his country, Tony joined the U.S. Air Force in 1963
and served an Information Officer; he was sent to Boston
University where he endured those yankees long enough
for graduate studies in public communications.
Tony discovered his biggest jewel in life while stationed
in the Big Sky state at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls,
MT, where he met and married Coleene Engle on July 17,
1965; soon thereafter they headed for adventure in Puerto
Rico at Ramey Air Force Base. Tony was responsible for
the Armed Forces Radio and Television Stations (AFRTS)
in Puerto Rico. The newspaper in Puerto Rico was judged
"Best in the Air Force" for two years.
In 1970 after an honorable discharge, Tony rejoined the
military as a reserve officer and retired from the U.
S. Air Force as a major. During his tenure he was awarded
two Air Force commendation medals, and selected the "Outstanding
Officer" in the Reserves. As the commander of two
Public Affairs Reserve Squadrons, including the one in
Houston, his involvement in special events included responsibility
for media arrangements for the presidential press corps
on three separate presidential visits.Tony's professional
career in public relations continued in the private sector
with such firms as Newport News Shipbuilding, Reynolds
Metals, Dayco Corporation, Fromm, Inc., Tenneco, Inc.,
Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc., and most recently with
his own firm, DeHaas Associates.
Tony was actively involved in many community activities
in the Houston area until his death in September of 2001,
including the Leukemia Society of America, USO, Volunteers
of America, Saint Patrick's Day Committee benefiting the
Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services, USS Houston
Memorial Monument, HPD Soul Patrol National Tour, Up With
People Tour, Houston International Festival, U S. Olympic
Festival, Houston-Tenneco Marathon, Galveston Mardi Gras,
River Oaks Tennis Tournament, Houston Livestock Show and
Rodeo and many more.
Each year as a new rodeo season gallops in we remember
Tony's warm encouragement, kind words and dedication to
The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and the Membership
Committee.
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