Robert Joseph Haberkorn

Robert Joseph Haberkorn, 93, passed away on November 17, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born August 5, 1929, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Ignatius and Mary L. (Gabel) Haberkorn.  He was a first-generation Volga German born in America to his parents.  He attended St. Joseph’s grade school and graduated from Capital Catholic High School in 1947.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was a member of the Army Reserve following his Honorable Discharge from service as a Sergeant First Class.  He served St. Joseph’s Church as volunteer for Sunday Collection, installed and maintained the heating and air conditioning there as well as for Hayden High School, served as a member of Hayden High School Board of Education, was a member of Hayden Boosters, member of American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, lifetime member of Knights of Columbus Council #2608, was a lifetime member of the James W. Gibbons Assembly #286 of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, member of Moose Lodge, member of the Adoration Society of St. Joseph Church, member of the Serra Club of Topeka, served Sacred Heart Church as Saturday and Sunday collection volunteer, and volunteer worker for the Germanfest.  Robert was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Mr. Haberkorn was employed by AT&SF Railway for 38 years before his retirement.  He also owned and operated Haberkorn Heating and Air Conditioning for over 30 years before he and his son, Jon C. became partners, and eventually turned the business over to Jon C.  He continued to spend every day in the shop until he fell and broke his pelvis at 92 ½ years of age.  Robert lived in Topeka all his life but spent winters in San Benito, Texas from 1999 to 2007.  He traveled extensively with Peg and his son, Fr. Tim.  For over 27 years they traveled for one month each year throughout Europe, Russia, Germany, Italy, Yugoslavia, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, France, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Turkey, Greece, Mexico, Spain, and the Bahamas.  Bob and Peg loved to dance and continued doing so for a great number of years.

Robert was married to Peggy Yvonne Reed on January 22, 1955, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.  They celebrated 67 years of marriage in January.  Survivors besides his wife Peggy include four sons:  Michael R. Haberkorn (Barbara) Topeka, Ks.; Dr. Robert M. Haberkorn (Melissa) Beaufort, S. Carolina; Jon Christopher Haberkorn (Stephanie) Berryton, Ks.; Rev. Timothy A. Haberkorn, Topeka, Ks.  He leaves 12 grandchildren:  Melissa Haberkorn McConeghey (John), Wichita, Ks., Rev. Michael R. Haberkorn (Mary) Chattanooga, Tenn.; Katie Haberkorn Farinola (Mark) Wichita, Ks.; Adam R. Hinkle, Abington, Maryland; Courtney Hinkle Liberato (Mike) Topeka, Ks.; Lindsey Hinkle Schmidtlein (Jeff) Topeka, Ks.; Kristen Haberkorn Dee (Matt) Nashville, Tenn.; Daniel Haberkorn, Topeka, Ks.; Nathan Haberkorn, Topeka, Ks.; Jason Haberkorn, Topeka, Ks.; Nicholas and Laci Haberkorn, Berryton, Ks.  There are 19 great grandchildren:  Isaac, Aileen, James, Levi, Josiah, Cora and Asher McConeghey of Wichita, Ks.; Renee and Jones Erby of Topeka, Ks.; Jack, Gabriel, Peter, Thomas, and Hannah Haberkorn of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Lee and Carwood Farinola of Wichita, Ks.; Joseph Haberkorn of Topeka, Ks.; Jordan and Emmett Schmidtlein of Topeka, Ks.  Also surviving is one brother-in-law, Orlin Broxterman of Topeka, Kansas and many nieces and nephews.  Robert’s only daughter, Diane M. Haberkorn Hinkle preceded him in death in 1996, his parents, Ignatius and Mary Haberkorn, sisters, Odelia Mick, Alvina Haberkorn, Kathryn Dluhy, Leona Schoenfeldt, Louise Schreiber and Betty Broxterman and a grandson, Trevor Haberkorn also predeceased him.

Robert will lie in state at St. Joseph Catholic Church, on Friday, November 25, 2022, from 4:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m.  A parish rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Chalice Ceremony.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 26, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery with military honors conducted.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Sacred Heart/St. Joseph Catholic Church or Midland Hospice Care and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6^th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.