George A. Haas

Dr. George A. Haas, age 73, of North Little Rock, died at his home Saturday, August 24, 2019, after a courageous journey with Lewy Body dementia. He was born April 12, 1946 in El Dorado, Arkansas, the son of Dr. Joseph J. and Gwendolyn Holm Haas. He was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest brother, John Randall Haas. Following his graduation in 1970 from the Southern College of Optometry, he served two years in the Navy as an optometrist. Upon his discharge from military service, he returned to Arkansas and established his optometric practice in North Little Rock, then Sherwood and Cabot. He was a 1976 graduate of the Rockefeller Foundation Institute of Politics and Government. Dr. Haas served his patients, community, and profession with dignity and outstanding achievements. He implemented a total comprehensive primary eye care concept practice, providing the finest eye care available by integrating services with ophthalmology and other health care professionals. He developed indigent eye/vision care programs for the poor and extensive screening programs for local schools. Dr. Haas was a leading force in Arkansas Optometric political efforts, helping guide the political and lobbying efforts since 1978, working with colleagues to pass numerous pieces of legislation. He began his service in the Arkansas Optometric Association as Public Relations Director, working his way through the chairs to become President in 1977 at the young age of 31. In 1978, he assumed leadership of the Legal Legislative Committee and was a driving force of optometry in the political process for many years. In 1988, Dr. Haas created and developed Arkansas Eye Associates, serving as its President. Governor Mike Huckabee appointed him to serve on the Arkansas State Board of Optometry and as an optometric representative to the Arkansas Board of Dispensing Opticians. He served on numerous American Optometric Association committees from 1978 to 1991. As Chairman of the Statutory Definition Committee and the State Legislative Affairs Committee, he helped direct the legislative awareness and efforts of numerous states. Through his involvement in these states, he recruited numerous politically active optometrists from across the nation to build the State Legislative Affairs Committee into one of American Optometric Association's strongest, most active, and effective committees. He was honored by the Arkansas Optometric Association on numerous occasions, including Optometrist of the Year in 1985 and 1995, the Distinguished Service Award in 1979, and the Special Legislative Service Award in 1987. The Mississippi Optometric Association honored him in 1987 with their Certificate of Outstanding Excellence and Achievement as a Legislative Speaker. The Southern Council of Optometrists honored him as Optometrist of the South in 1996. He loved his patients and cared about them as though they were family. He would entertain his young patients with magic tricks. He often said he would never retire as he loved going to his optometric practice every day and seeing his patients. He also loved the legislative process and helping pass laws for his profession which would enable optometric physicians to better serve the eye care needs of patients in Arkansas. His Community involvement included membership and board participation in Rotary, Jaycees, Salvation Army, Optimists, North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, Sherwood Chamber of Commerce, North Little Rock Parks Commission, Department of Human Services Advisory Board, and the Little Rock Executive's Association. He also found time to coach YMCA football, basketball, and baseball teams for youth. In 1977, the Arkansas Jaycees selected him as the Outstanding Young Man of the Year. Dr. Haas was an avid reader and book collector, loved to travel with his wife Susan, scuba dive, and was a football fan – Cowboy's football. He began his love of duck hunting with his father and brothers at a young age. First and foremost, Dr. Haas loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Susan Southard Haas; his three children, Laura Marsh (David), Christopher Haas (Tiffany) and Jennifer Haas; nine grandchildren, Jordan Marsh, Alex Marsh, Wesley Marsh, David Marsh Jr., Maggie Haas, Joshua Haas, Jake Haas, Luke Haas and Ella Grace Haas; his brothers, Dr. Garry Haas and Joseph Jay Haas. His family will miss this amazing husband, father, grandfather and brother. His bright smile, infectious laugh, insightful conversations, and playing casino are cherished memories. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. His grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers. A private burial will immediately follow in Rest Hills Memorial Park. Please share your memories of Dr. Haas with his family at www.griffinleggettresthills.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials honoring Dr. Haas may be made to the Southern College of Optometry, 1245 Madison Avenue, Memphis, Tenn. 38104.