Richard C. Haas Memorial Scholarship Fund I find myself 2/5ths of the way along a journey that started December 16, 2007. I have done the Leadville Marathon and the Silver Rush 50 mile mountain bike race and have yet to attempt the remaining Leadman events. This journey started with a phone call in December of 2008. Ric Haas contacted me to inform me about his recent diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer. It changed my life and the lives of others. See, Ric was a second career student at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine at the same time as I was a 20 year old student. He had much insight to offer. I began riding bikes with Ric and soon was spending weeks at his home near the Art Museum. We ran and rode with his dog Jesse after class. I learned many things from Ric. Mostly things outside of the classroom. I observed him in a mature and loving relationship with his wife and sweetheart Sheila. He was a vegetarian and rode his bike to school. He just always seemed to have appropriate priorities. We lived near each other during residency in the Northwest suburbs of Denver. We still ran and skied and biked but a little less frequently. Ric then graduated and went on to serve the population of the Indian Health Services in the western US. In December of 2007, Ric informed me of his failing health. After two visits to his retirement home near Ithaca NY, I asked him if I could create a scholarship in his name at our alma mater. He responded with enthusiasm. Ric, Sheila and I created a scholarship at Temple University designed to assist those students interested in serving those less fortunate living within the United States of America. On December 30, 2008, my mobile rang with the number of my best friend. I answered, "Hey big guy". There was silence. "I wish it was your big guy", responded Sheila. We cried together. Today, I sit here constructing this email with three events left to complete the Leadman that started many years ago with the meeting of Ric and Bill. Please, help support the Richard C.Haas Memorial Scholarship with any contribution within your means. Many will ultimately thank you for serving the underserved. Please send your contributions to Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, attn: David C. Burt, 8th at Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19107. Please make check payable to Temple University with Richard C. Haas II Mem Scholarship in the memo. In addition, please indicate WF in the memo so that I will be able to match your contribution three-fold to support something I strongly believe in. Thank you, Bill Farrett, DPM FACFAS
Director, High Street Foot and Ankle Clinic
Chairman, Highlands Foot and Ankle Institute
Externship Director, Highlands P/SL Podiatric Residency
Part-time Faculty Dept of Surgery, P/SL MC
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