Henry Hafer

Henry David Hafer
March 27, 1922 – April 30, 2014

Henry David Hafer, 92, of Waco, passed away Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Matthew Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Krupicka officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be 10 – 11 a.m. prior to the service.

Henry David Hafer was born March 27, 1922, in Brenham to Henry Edward and Louise (Conrad) Hafer. In 1925 at the age of three years, his family moved to Womack, Texas in Bosque County. Henry graduated from Clifton High School in 1939. He moved to Dallas to attend Business College. In 1941 he went to work for Austin Bridge Company in Dallas. On September 20,1942, he enlisted In the United States Air Force. He was in the single engine Pilot School. He graduated from flying school at Luke Field in Phoenix, Arz. He then was a flight instructor in B-13 at Gardner Field in Taft, Cal. and AT-6 at Morona, Ariz. He also taught Chinese pilots how to fly. In September 1945, he was transferred to Hobbs, New Mexico for B-17 training and was to fly a B-29 Bomber. After VJ Day in 1945, he was discharged.

Henry entered the University of Texas in 1946, and in June 1950 graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Henry then returned to Dallas to work for Austin Contracting Company as an estimator.

He married Melba Ruth Beyer on September 19,1953. Henry moved his family to Waco in 1968 and worked for Downing Brothers as an estimator until he retired in 1988. Henry was an active member of St Matthew Lutheran Church. He was a member of American Society of Civil Engineers. Henry enjoyed traveling. He and Melba Ruth were members of Cotton Palace Good Sams RV Club. Henry was an avid deer hunter, domino player, and enjoyed all sports.

He was preceded in death by parents, and brother and sister-in-law, L.C. and Joyce Hafer; and brother-in-law, Lawrence Weilnau.

He is survived by wife of 60 years, Melba Ruth of Waco; daughter: Janet and husband, Buddy Wuthrich of Houston; sons; David and wife, Mauveline Hafer of Hewitt and Stephen and wife Lisa Hafer of Coppell; sister, Viola Weilnau of Longmont, Col.; three granddaughters, Kendall Wuthrich of Houston, Hannah Hafer of Hewitt and Hallie Hafer of Hewitt; and several nieces and nephews.

The family extends thanks to Providence Hospice, especially Michelle and the caregivers.

Memorials may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 800 N. New Road, Waco, TX 76710, Caritas, or one's charity of choice.