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Auto Enthusiast Walter R. Haessner dies at 71

Tucson, Ariz., December 31, 2006: Walter R. Haessner died Wednesday morning, December 27th, of lymphoma-related causes. Always the optimist, he fought this disease since 1998, never giving up hope there would be a cure. However, beginning January 14, 2006, one infection after another kept him bedridden at home or in the hospital for the better part of the year, until finally his immune system could cope no longer. It was time for this tough old Marine to move on to the final adventure.

Highly respected throughout the automotive world, Walt will be missed for his cheerful laugh that could fill a room, his gleeful enthusiasm about whatever his current activity might be, his willingness to share his knowledge, and his dedication to accuracy in media.

His communications company, AZTEX Corporation, publishes non-fiction books, primarily in the fields of transportation, auto racing and corporate history.

Additionally, he founded Exergonic Technology Corp. in 1986, which distributes hi-tech lubricants and greases. This began with auto-related products, and has grown into a full line of industrial products.

Long recognized as an automotive expert, Haessner served as consultant and/or executed projects for the Franklin Mint, Ford Motor Company, Shell Oil Company, Mobil Oil Corp (ExxonMobil), Fram Filter Co., Jaguar Cars N.A., Lubrizol Corp., Unocal, and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

Walt was born May 17, 1935, in Passaic, N.J. At an early age he moved with his mother and step-father to Miami, Fla. Summers were spent with his father in New Jersey.

In 1954 he went on two years active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps, during which time he completed high school, went to camera repair school, got married, became a father, and achieved the rank of corporal.

After service, he was purchasing agent for Century Engineering Co. in New Jersey, for which he had worked summers during high school. He then went to Reaction Motors (Thiokol) as a high speed engineering photographer working on the X-15 missile project, followed by a period at Cape Canaveral, Florida, with RCA Missile Test Project as one of 300 photographers hired out of 30,000 interviewed.

While at the Cape, he went to the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring as a track photographer. He left the Cape in late 1962, returned to Newfoundland, New Jersey, and began his own marketing/public relations/photography/publishing business. Walt was East Coast photographer for Sports Car Graphic for 1963 and 1964. His first publishing contract was for the 1964 12 Hours of Sebring race program. One of his more memorable marketing gigs was arranging to have Great Western Champagne of New York in the Winner’s Circle of the (circa) 1971 Can-Am races.

Well-known in automotive corporate and automotive media circles in the 1960s and 1970s for his involvement with the 12 Hours of Sebring as commercial public relations director, which incorporated all sales of advertising as well as solicitation of sponsorship monies, Walt also joined the late Bill Finefrock in producing advertising/editorial inserts and/or full race programs for the Can-Am, Trans-Am and Formula 5000 sports car series.

Haessner garnered numerous awards, both for his writing and as publisher. These include the Imperial Palace Moto Award 1988 for an editorial in Restoration News Bulletin; two Society of Automotive Historians Cugnot Awards for the books “MACK” by John B. Montville (1974), and “My Two Lives: Race Driver to Restaurateur” by Rene Dreyfus with Beverly Rae Kimes (1984); as well as two Antique Automobile Club of America Thomas KcKean awards for “MACK” by John B. Montville (1974), and “Tire Wars: Racing with Goodyear” by William Neely (1994). Five titles have been book club selections.

In 1983, Haessner founded the International Society for VEHICLE Preservation (ISVP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. The Society’s purpose is to spread an appreciation and understanding of the benefits of freedom of movement to society worldwide, to assist in accurate preservation and restoration of vehicles and related artifacts, and accurate recording of the history thereof.

The idea for this organization arose from a meeting with the late Henry Austin Clark, Jr., at his home in Glen Cove, N.Y., at which time “Austie” told Walt the only way it would happen is if Walt just “went and did it himself.” And so he did, with the support of an eclectic group of individuals from auto racing, collecting, media, museums, archiving, restoration--from Italy, France, England, and the US, who served on the Board of Advisors.

One of the Society’s main functions today is the annual International Automotive Media Competition, to recognize and encourage excellence in all forms of automotive media. For the fourth year, the Truck Writers of North America has asked ISVP to administer its awards program under the same standards.

Walter R. Haessner was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and several automotive journalism organizations. He held a BS in marketing.

Haessner’s interest in things automotive goes back to his childhood. He got his driver’s license at 14, bought his first vehicle: a 1923 American LaFrance Brockway Torpedo chemical fire truck, and did a ground-up restoration on it while still in high school. He had an extensive automotive library as well as photo archives.

Though much of his life centered around automobiles, Walt became fascinated with computers while at the Cape in the early 1960s and his interest therein grew exponentially over the years. He consumed computer manuals, was an avid science fiction devotee, and was “owned” by an old grey cat.

He leaves behind his wife and soul-mate of 52 years, Elaine C. (Jordan) Haessner; three beloved children: Ursula Haessner Cochran of Florida, Walter W. Haessner of Arizona, and Dora E. H. Crow and husband Jim of California; and four adored grandchildren: Lane Ferguson and Sara Cochran of Florida; and Eric and Stephanie Crow of California.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that anyone wishing to make a remembrance in his name send a donation to either the American Cancer Society, or to the Haessner family church (his great-uncle was the first pastor there): St John Lutheran Church, 140 Lexington Avenue, Passaic, NJ 07055.

A service, followed by a Celebration of Life, will be held at St John’s at a date to be determined. Those wishing to attend, or to be kept up to date regarding this, are asked to contact Elaine Haessner at isvp@earthlink.net so your e-mail address may be added to the register.

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Contact: Elaine C. Haessner
Phone: 520-749-2260
e-mail isvp@earthlink.net