Belvidere Funeral Home

Richard T. Haselton

( May 12, 2018 )

Richard Truman Haselton passed away in Rockford, Illinois on May 12, 2018 at the age of 97. He was born on October 26, 1920 in Rochelle, Illinois and lived on a farm in Kings, Illinois. He received his bachelor’s degree from what is now Northern Illinois University where he competed on the basketball and track teams and set a record for the long jump. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Illinois. He led a life of service to others and to his Lord. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, stationed at Camp Pendleton. He coached multiple sports during his high school coaching career in Illinois that included stints in Byron, Geneseo, Rock Falls, Normal, Elmhurst, Skokie and Rockford. His last assignment was as Director of Athletics at Rockford East High School. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1985. Richard was a vibrant member of the Presbyterian church in the cities where he coached, serving in a number of congregational leadership roles, teaching Sunday School and was a decades-long member of the Gideons. He and his wife June participated in multiple church mission trips in the Midwest, Australia and also led a lengthy mission trip to Bali. Among Richard’s fondest times were scores of summer trips the Haselton family took to national parks and other destinations in North America and Canada, including Quetico Provincial Park. Equally memorable to Richard were the summers spent at the family’s cabin on Lake Wissota in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Richard cared deeply for animals. The Haselton family dogs were among the best behaved in town and he patiently and lovingly taught horses at a neighbor’s farm where his “students” often won awards at fairs and other competitions. Richard is survived by his wife of 73 years June (Hocker), daughters Katherine Farmer (Royce), Carolyn Holden (Win), son Bruce (Aubra), six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. A visitation will be held Thursday, May 24, 2018 at Belvidere Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 203 Logan Avenue Belvidere, Illinois from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. A second visitation will be held on Friday, May 25, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church, 221 North Main Street, Belvidere, Illinois at 10 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in the family’s name.