Dr. A. Peter Haupert

“Pete” Haupert, son of the late Raymond and Estelle Haupert of Bethlehem, Pa., loving husband for 55 years of Joan S. Haupert, passed away on Sept. 27, 2014, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Waukesha, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

He is survived by his wife Joan; and their four children Dave, Deborah, Jim, and Martita. Four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter also survive him.

Dr. Haupert, a medical physician as well as an ordained Moravian minister, began his medical career working as a missionary doctor in Nicaragua, Central America. After six years in the mission field with his wife and their four children, he returned to Wisconsin and worked for 22 years as an emergency room physician at Waukesha Memorial and Oconomowoc Hospitals until his retirement in 1996. He was also instrumental in bringing the paramedic program, which still serves the community today, to Waukesha.

Those who knew Pete appreciated his zest for life; his love of the outdoors; his passion for trains; his wide reading, from Dostoevsky to Thoreau; his candid conversations about the meaning of life; his curiosity about the world and his love of exploring it; his humanitarianism reflected in his Bilwaskarma career; his wonderful ability to write about his experiences and pass on these gems to his friends. He was an explorer all of his life, in so many ways that transcended the conventional, and he did it with such boyish enthusiasm that was contagious.

Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul, Patron Saint of the Poor and the Needy, on Sept. 27. Like St. Vincent de Paul, Pete found peace on Sept. 27. With all his activities, busy work schedule, and family, Pete always found time to help the less fortunate and those in need. Prior to his passing, Pete ensured the mission work he embarked on so many years ago would continue. Today, under the watchful eye of his son Dave, it does.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are suggested to the Board of World Missions (Note: In Memory of A.P. Haupert — Bilwaskarma Outreach Account). Mail to: Board of World Missions, Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016. These donations will support the mission in Nicaragua, which he has faithfully supported since 1968 both financially and with his time and skills. After returning to Wisconsin with his family, Dr. Haupert continued to return annually to Bilwaskarma, Nicaragua, performing surgeries needed by the indigenous people of the area and in later years as a consultant.

He will be greatly missed by his loving family and many wonderful friends. We will honor Pete by celebrating his life from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Oct. 25 in Nelson Hall at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 200 Richard St., Waukesha.

Condolences can be emailed to petehaupert@att.net . If you plan on celebrating Pete’s life with us, please R.S.V.P to the aforementioned email address.