Dr. Fred Haberle

Dr. Fred Haberle, Tyler, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 17, 2007 after an extended illness.

Fred was a retired ophthalmologist and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, Carole Williams Haberle, formerly of Palestine, Texas; sister Glynda (Haberle) Beall and brother-in-law Royce Beall of Jacksonville; son Fred Jackson Haberle and wife Ginger Carpenter Haberle of Tyler; son Stewart Glenn Haberle and wife Tracy Miller Haberle of Tyler; son Paul Steven Haberle of Tyler; and grandsons Luke, Glenn, Miller, and Trey; niece, Elizabeth Lott of Fredericksburg; and nephew, Mark Beall of Fredericksburg.

Fred Haberle was born March 12, 1934 to Glenn and Crystal (Rawlinson) Haberle in Jacksonville, Texas. He was a standout for the Jacksonville Fightin’ Indians football team and was all-state honorable mention in 1951. He also excelled at track and won consecutive state championships as a member of Jacksonville’s mile relay team. Their 1952 time of 3:27.9 was a long-standing state record. He played freshman football at the University of Texas, highlighted by a 98-yard kickoff return against Rice.

Fred graduated from the University of Texas in 1957 with a BBA in Industrial Engineering. He served in the Air Force from 1957-59, achieving the rank of Captain. He and Carole were married on August 2, 1958. After his military service, Fred enrolled at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. His medical internship at Dallas Methodist Hospital was followed by an ophthalmology residency at the University of Missouri Medical School. He practiced medicine, specializing in surgery and diseases of the eye, from 1968-1970 in Jacksonville and from 1970-1994 in Tyler.

Dr. Haberle served as a director on bank boards in both Jacksonville and Tyler. He was a past president of the Discovery Science Place and the Tyler Bonsai Society. He was a member of Grace Community Church and enjoyed Charles Fries’ Sunday School class for many years. He attended “Choir Practice,” a Wednesday morning Bible Study with fellow physicians, for 35 plus years.

Fred treasured being in the outdoors - enjoying his membership in the “No Talent Hunting Club” and hunting trips all over the world. He and Carole especially loved travel with their many close friends. He was a great husband, father, friend and doctor.

Visitation will be Friday, May 18th from 6-7:30 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, May 19th at 2 p.m. at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery followed at 3 p.m. by a memorial service at Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel with John Prestridge and Steve Rumpf presiding.

Pallbearers are Jim Rippy, Frank Budde, John Clarke, John Hudnall, Alan Locklin, Curtis Mewbourne, Pat Thomas, Bernie Ward, John White, and Dick Willms. Honorary pallbearers are members of Wednesday morning “Choir Practice”.

Memorials in honor of Dr. Fred Haberle may be made to The Salvation Army or The Discovery Science Place.

For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.
 

Information from The Jacksonville Daily Progress