Joseph Haban

Born and raised in the community he loved, Joe Haban will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the place he called home. A man of ingenuity, strength of character and ethical work practices, he leaves a lasting legacy of generosity to the many he touched in such remarkable ways.

A decade of great advancement and struggle, Joseph Haban was born in Racine, Wisconsin on May 30, 1917. The son of the late Andrew and Philamena (Sevcik) Haban, he grew up on his family’s farm alongside his brothers, Andrew and Frank, and sisters, Mary and Helen. From an early age he learned the value of hard work and grasped the concept of common sense, both of which served him well. At the time of his birth much was taking place in America and the world around him. The moving assembly line increased America’s ability to produce goods and workers united to gain fair labor practices. While the U.S. was advancing as a world power, the nation was also heavily engaged in World War I, the “war to end all wars”.

When the hardships of the Great Depression created misfortune, Joe and his family found no exception to these troubling times and together strived to keep their family farm afloat. No stranger to hard work, it was perhaps this time in Joe’s life when he came to appreciate the value of commitment and community. He attended the area schools including Horlick High school. Joe continued his schooling at Tri-State College, graduating in 1944. In 1980 Joe was recognized with an Honorary Degree from Tri-State College as a Doctor of engineering. Soon after receiving his college education, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Service during World War II where he was trained as a steam engineer.

Equipped with a college education and training in the service, Joe set out with the future before him. With an intuitive nature, Joe had the aptitude for skillfully inventing things. His ability ultimately led him to begin his own company, Haban Manufacturing, an agricultural implement factory that employed countless area residents through the years. From 1952-1995 Joe designed and manufactured the very machines that provide the agricultural sector with more profitable ways of conducting business and convenient ways of farming. He is credited with the invention of the first snow thrower attachment for garden tractors, however, his plans for the corn husker-sheller led him to the beginning of a fulfilling career as a successful engineer and businessman, not to mention hometown advocate.

As an engineer, Joe’s fate turned in a new direction in 1952. Having held several engineering jobs at various manufacturing firms, it was while working for the Harvey Manufacturing Company when things began advancing for him. There he helped develop a line of agricultural equipment, but also realizing there was a significant need in corn crop farming, he designed what came to be known as the corn husker-sheller. After acquiring a patent, he took it to a farm equipment convention in Chicago and received the praises of many. In time it changed the course of corn farming to a new level.

With a $250 loan from his father, Joe began a thriving business of his own. He limited his hands-on involvement to mainly designing, but before long the demand for his product grew significantly. Countries as far away as South and Central America were eager to have use of his machines and he often traveled to other countries to market his products. Over time Joe held at least ten patents to his credit for machines and attachments including his snow thrower, corn husker-sheller, a lawn dethatcher, lawn mower attachments and numerous types of blades for garden tractors. In 1958 he purchased the agricultural division of Durabilt Manufacturing Company of Aurora, Illinois. Durabilt's line of products, which included forage choppers, crop driers and farm wagon boxes were soon added to his manufacturing line.

In 1959, Joe left the farm equipment business behind and focused his energies on the developing market of attachments for garden tractors. He developed a snow thrower attachment for garden tractors and subsequently developed additional attachments including the sickle bar mower and flail mower. He sold these attachments to multiple garden tractor manufacturing companies and some of his other products went on to include the production of tow-behind tillers and chipper-shredders.

Around 1961 his company began lines of production and as the years progressed his demands for additional space grew. Before long the name Haban Manufacturing graced a cluster of buildings in town which were known previously as the Horlick Malted Milk complex.

As his business grew, he made equipment for as many as 21 companies including the Case Corporation, John Deere, International Harvester, the Sears Craftsman line, Murray, Duetz-Allis, Farm and Fleet, and several others.

In 1995 he sold the company to the Milwaukee based Polaris Group. True to his roots and his community, Joe stipulated that the company specifically remain in Racine. He also specified all employees who desired to remain there could, and each of his 70 employees retained their positions. His employees were loyal, hard working individuals who took a great pride working for the company. Joe remained close to the people who helped shape his company which included visits as well as his continued support by attending company holiday and employee recognition parties.

After more than 40 years producing agricultural machinery, Joe went on to consult for his firm, Haban Investments Ltd. He also developed other ventures, such as helping implement the Racine Area Geriatric Assessment Center, Inc. where he served on the board and provided financial support. His commitment to the community was also seen in his volunteer efforts, including his work with the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He was also generous with donations, including the gift of his family’s farmland of 40 acres for the creation of Haban Park which was developed into a youth sports park. Known today as Racine Youth Sports, the athletic fields are home each year to thousands of children playing baseball and football on the fields. The park that bears Joe Haban's name is the very land he grew up on and his family farmed.

With a generosity that reached beyond the ball field, Joe donated his money, time and talents to his home parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Racine Area Geriatric Assessment Center, Inc. It was his foremost desire to serve his community and share his good fortune. His involvement also included membership with the Kiwanis Golden K Club and the Lost and Found Club. In his free time, Joe enjoyed hunting and playing cards. He reveled reminiscing with friends, and conversations which involved politics of the day.

Most people head south when they retire, but for Joe, his desire was to remain in the Racine area doing things for the community that supported and stood behind him. He credited the secret to his success with good common sense. Joe Haban’s generous nature and community minded spirit will be long remembered.

At the age of 93, Joe passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at Franciscan Woods in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Armaganian; grandchildren: Margaret, Lauren, twins Michael and Elizabeth, Claire, Kathleen, Liam, and Ryan Flatley; sisters: Mary Gerber of Grand Island, Florida and Helen Jorstad of New Hope, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Haban of Fort Atkinson; nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and associates. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Andrew and Frank.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 29, 2011, 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2201 Northwestern Avenue with Rev. Ronald O. Crewe officiating. Entombment with full military honors will follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum. Relatives and friends may meet with his family Friday at the Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home from 4-7 PM and again Saturday at the church from 9-9:45 AM. Memorials to Haban Field, Sacred Heart Catholic Church or one’s favorite charity are suggested. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory or photo of Joe and to sign his online guest book.