Andrew R. Haas

GUILDERLAND – Andrew R. Haas, 57, of Guilderland, passed away on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at the Albany Medical Center after being stricken with a brain aneurysm on Tuesday.  Andy was born in the Bronx, and spent two years in Europe as a child.  His father being employed by the federal government, the family moved to the Washington area and Andy was raised in Kings Park, Fairfax Co., VA.  As a kid he loved to put on movies and puppet shows for the neighborhood, and read on the front lawn on sunny days.  In high school Andy was a devout Catholic, but by college had become a rigorous skeptic.  This did not prevent him from becoming a dedicated practitioner of Buddhist Meditation.  He was a graduate of Yale University, and cherished his days there and the friends he made.  He was an adventurer who loved long hitch-hiking trips, ranging as far as Alaska or Yellowstone Park.  He earned a doctoral degree at the University of Rochester.  He was employed for seven years by BB&N Computer Research in Cambridge, MA, and then until his death as a Professor of Computer Science at the University at Albany.  His passion within Computer Science was the study of Artificial Intelligence.  He had a wide-ranging curiosity and savored books, ranging from Have Space Suit –Will Travel to The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

Andrew is survived by his wife Jo-Ann Russo Haas; his daughter Katherine Eliza Haas of Manhattan, NY; his parents Mary Downey Haas of Westminster, MD, and Francis G. Haas of Springfield, VA; his brother Daniel J. Haas of Copake, NY; his sister Jeanne Marie Butterworth (Stewart) of Upperco, MD; and by many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Andy loved and was devoted to his wife, daughter, family, and friends.  He possessed a deep innocence and honesty — if he loved you, you knew it well.

Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Sunday afternoon at 4p.m.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home on Sunday after 2p.m.  The family suggests memorial contributions to the Shambhala Meditation Center of Albany, 747 Madison Ave., Albany, NY 12208.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

View or print Andrew’s memorial card.