William Leroy "Bill" Haeberle

William Leroy Haeberle, 95, passed away Thursday, October 26, 2017 at his home in Bloomington, Indiana. He was the eldest son of the late Marjorie Ellen Jared Haeberle Shannon and the late Louis Leroy Haeberle, and was predeceased by his brother, Frank Lewis Haeberle. He was born on May 19, 1922 in Maywood, Indiana above his grandfather’s grocery store and butcher shop, where he worked as a child learning how to manage a business. He married the late Marion Yvonne Carlton Haeberle in 1947 and they were together for fifty-five years. Bill is survived by his daughter Patricia Yvonne Haeberle Olsen (husband Charles) of Potomac, Maryland, and sons William Carlton Haeberle of Columbus, Indiana and David Carlton Haeberle (wife Beth) of Bloomington, Indiana. Two children, Steven Carlton Haeberle and Ann Carlton Haeberle died in infancy. Also surviving are grandchildren Michelle Yvonne Eastham Holdeman (husband Justin) of Chicago, Illinois, Melissa Kathleen Eastham Carle (husband Benjamin) of Alexandria, Virginia, Brett Stephen Eastham of Alexandria, Virginia, William Greyson Haeberle of Columbus, Indiana, William Harrison Haeberle of Columbus, Indiana, and Scott Haynes Haeberle of Bloomington, Indiana, and a great-grandson, Quinn Wallace Carle, of Alexandria, Virginia. Additionally, he has three sister-in-laws, Eileen Kruger Haeberle, Patricia Carlton Keck, and Gaylia Hale Carlton, and four nephews and three nieces. After graduating from Indiana University in 1943 with a BS in Business, Bill enlisted as a Private in the Army during WWII, serving in the Southwest Pacific and Western Pacific Theater of Operations. He was promoted to Captain by war’s end in 1946, receiving a bronze star. He transferred from the Army Reserves to the Air Force Reserves and retired in 1974 as a Lt. Colonel. He was always very proud of his military service. His love of aviation manifested itself as a personal aircraft owner, and lessor of commercial jet and prop jet aircraft to international trunk and second level domestic carriers from 1968-2004. Bill joined the faculty of the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University in 1946, was awarded an MS in Business in 1947, and a Doctorate in Business Administration in 1952. He taught Principles of Selling and Sales Management, but in 1958, created and began teaching in one of the nation’s first collegiate entrepreneurship programs. Several years later, he initiated internship programs in private businesses. From 1958-1984, Bill directed the Indiana Executive Program, a precursor to the current Kelley Executive Education program. He was the Director of the International Consortium for University Executive Education from 1972-1993. He became Emeritus Professor of Management in 1985, and while continuing to teach, he was also involved in the start-up of over four dozen private companies. Additionally, he was a professional corporate director for over five dozen private and public companies, and was a consultant to numerous top executives on how to introduce an entrepreneurial spirit into their organizational culture. In 1989, Bill helped establish the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation which supports faculty research and education. Today, it presents the William L. Haeberle Entrepreneurial Legacy Award to successful Hoosier entrepreneurs, and the William L. Haeberle Professorship in Entrepreneurship was established. Also that year, he was inducted into the Entrepreneur of the Year Institute Hall of Fame and received the Ernst & Young (management consulting firm) and Inc Magazine’s 1989 Indiana Heartland Entrepreneur of the Year award. He developed and taught his last class in Turnaround Management and Managing Growth, in 2004. Bill is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, and Sagamore of the Wabash. In additional to his professional life, his special interests were aviation, fishing, nature, water gardens, traveling, and history. In 2007 he completed his autobiography I Never Worked a Day in My Life. Towards the end of his life he commented, “I’ve had a great life: I may not have done it all, but many times enough to feel fulfilled.” He believed he had met his life goals. Friends are invited to an Open House celebrating Bill’s life, from 3 to 7pm on November 17th at his home at 1213 S. High Street in Bloomington. There will be a private interment for the immediate family the following day. In lieu of flowers, please provide support to the William L. Haeberle Professorship of Entrepreneurship via the IU Foundation or the Bloomington Hospital Foundation for Home Hospice. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory 4155 South Old State Road 37 is handling the arrangements and online condolences, photos, and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com.

Tributes

William Leroy "Bill" Haeberle

May 19, 1922 - October 26, 2017