To borrow a phrase he had used, Fred (“Fritz”) Haffner “died reluctantly” Dec. 4, 2011. He was 92.
A lifelong Cincinnatian, Fritz prepared at Walnut Hills High School before graduating from Choate. At Princeton, he majored in chemistry, graduating with honors. After enlisting in the Army Medical Corps, he attended Cornell Medical School, earning his degree in 1944. He served at Fort Sam Houston, and returned permanently to Cincinnati in 1951 after his residency at Buffalo Children’s Hospital. This began a 42-year pediatric career serving patients and many nervous parents, always with a wonderful sense of humor, comforting demeanor, and trademark bow tie.
Fred loved to be on the golf course or enjoying time in Les Cheneaux Islands, Mich., and Naples, Fla. A remarkably social couple, Fred and his wife, Pris, were always ready for a party, especially one with a band — they were a great dance pair. They enjoyed Princeton alumni functions, attending many reunions and mini-reunion across the country. Fred golfed at Royal Poinciana in Naples and the Cincinnati Country Club and was a treasured elder statesman of Les Cheneaux Yacht Club and the Cincinnati Gyro Club.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 37 years, Priscilla Garrison Haffner; daughter Katherine Haffner; son Paul Haffner; stepchildren Oliver, Priscilla, and D’Ellen Bardes and LaVaughn Fujimaki; two grandchildren; and five step-grandchildren.