George Haering ’52

GEORGE DIED on July 12, 1989, of complications following surgery. His funeral service was held in the Fairlington Methodist Church, Alexandria, Va.

At Princeton, George majored in politics, and belonged to Terrace. His senior roommate was Webster Wright; he prepared at Lawrenceville. After graduation he served three years aboard the U.S.S. CAMBRIA as CIC Officer.

George combined the roles of scholar, teacher, and prophet in a distinguished civilian career with the U.S. Navy. During a stint with the budget bureau, he pursued graduate work in mathematics and public administration at American Univ., Washington, D.C. He taught at the M.I.T. Operations Evaluation Group and Center for Naval Analysis, 1959-67.

In 1967 George founded and headed the Strike Warfare Branch within the Office of Chief of Naval Operations. Of the 38 naval aviators George selected, most achieved major command, and eight became admirals. As one who stood on his principles, George was personally fired by Navy Secretary John Lehman; his colleagues then sequestered him in the NAVAIR office in the Pentagon. George amassed 704 hours of "rear-seat" flying in tactical aircraft and helicopters.

With his second wife, Faye, George shared his passion for vegetable gardening, hiking the Appalachian Trail, and maintaining a cabin in the Shenandoah Valley. In addition to Faye, he is survived by his children, George, Kristin, and Kathryn, and his mother, Olga Haering. To them we extend our profound sympathy.