Dr. Habein will be greatly missed

When I wrote of my recent visit with

Dr. H.C. Habein and his family, I'd not yet received the news of his passing on December 4, 2017. While I knew Harold (who never told me he actually went by "Pete") primarily through emails discussing Schmitt genealogy, I could tell he was a special person. Just how special I realize now upon reading some of the details of his extraordinary life. You may read his full obituary here.

From the standpoint of a family historian, I appreciated Dr. Habein's curiosity about the past and willingness to share his findings. But most of all, I appreciated his determination to uncover the truth, and his sincere interest in the lives of the people he studied. Schmitt historians, especially descendants of Christian (1807-1876), owe much to his persistence and documentation. My sister Helen and I had the good fortune of meeting him this past year, and for this we will always be grateful.