Haas, Elise S., 1893-1990

Elise Stern Haas was born in San Francisco on Oct. 29, 1893, the only child of Rosalie Meyer and Sigmund Stern. Her father was president of Levi Strauss and Co., and nephew of Levi Strauss, who founded the firm in 1850. In 1914, she married Walter A. Haas, president of Levi Strauss and Co. from 1928 to 1955. They had three children: Walter A., Jr., Peter, and Rhoda. She died on Oct. 20, 1990.

Elise Haas was a prominent patron of the arts in San Francisco.

Elise Stern Haas was born in San Francisco on October 29, 1893, the only child of Rosalie Meyer and Sigmund Stern. Her father was president of Levi Strauss and Co., and nephew of Levi Strauss, who founded the firm in 1850. In 1914, she married Walter A. Haas, president of Levi Strauss and Co. from 1928 to 1955. They had three children: Walter A., Jr., Peter, and Rhoda. She died at Mount Zion Hospital on October 20, 1990.

Biography

Elise Stern Haas was born in San Francisco on October 29, 1893, the only child of Rosalie Meyer and Sigmund Stern. Her father was president of Levi Strauss and Co., and nephew of Levi Strauss, a Bavarian immigrant who founded the firm in 1850.

Elise was raised in the family home on Pine Street and was taught to read and write at home by Miss Katherine Burke, who later founded The Burke's School. At the age of nine, Elise was sent to Pacific Heights School on Jackson Street, and she graduated from high school in May 1911.

In 1914, Elise Stern married Walter A. Haas, president of Levi Strauss and Co. from 1928 to 1955. They had three children: Walter A., Jr., Peter, and Rhoda. Under the management of their sons, the company became the world's largest apparel manufacturer. Walter A. Haas, Jr. was also the owner of the Oakland Athletic's baseball team. His son, Walter J. Haas recently retired as president and chief executive officer of the company. The Haas family includes 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Elise Haas is remembered as a civic-minded philanthropist and devoted patron of the arts and culture of the city. She served as the first female president of Mount Zion Hospital from 1938 to 1940, and led the San Francisco League of Women Voters, the Visiting Nurses Association, and Red Cross Blood Drives during World War II.

Mrs. Haas was involved with the Museum of Modern Art from it's inception in the 1930's and served as Chairman from 1964 to 1966. Under her leadership, the museum solidified its financial base and built up its permanent collection.

Mrs. Haas, along with several family members, received the Alexis de Tocqueville Society award from the United Way of America in 1985. The citation stated that the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, founded in 1952, reflected "the family philosophy that wealth is a responsibility and the sharing of it is a way of life".

Walter and Elise were married for 65 years. On their 60th anniversary, Walter said that of all their accomplishments, their children were the most significant. The Haas family continues to carry on the family legacy and makes generous contributions to educational and health institutions, the environment, and social services organizations.

Elise Stern Haas died at Mount Zion Hospital on October 20, 1990.

Biography

Elise Stern Haas was born in San Francisco in 1893. She was the daughter of Rosalie Meyer and Sigmund Stern, who was the president of Levi Strauss and Co. and the nephew of the company's founder, Levi Strauss. In 1914 she married Walter A. Haas, who was president of Levi Strauss and Co. from 1928-1955. The company was eventually managed by their sons, Walter A. Haas Jr. and Peter Haas, under whose leadership the company became the largest apparel manufacturer in the world. Elise and Walter Haas had two sons and one daughter, as well as 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Elise S. Haas was known as a civic-minded patron of the arts and philanthropist. She was the president of Mount Zion Hospital from 1938-1940 and headed the San Francisco League of Women Voters. She also held Red Cross blood drives in World War II and headed the Visiting Nurse Association. She was the first woman president of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (formerly the San Francisco Museum of Art), and served on its women's board, the board of trustees, and served as its chairman from 1964-1966. During her term as president, the museum built up its permanent collection and solidified its financial base.

Elise Haas and her husband made significant contributions to health and education institutions, environmental causes, and social services. She died in 1990 at the age of 96.

( Source : "Elise Haas -Arts Patron, Matriarch of S.F. Family." San Francisco Chronicle . October 20, 1990.)