Haight, Floyd L., 1897-

Educator, writer, lecturer, historian, chairman of the Michigan Civil War Centennial Observance Commission (1959-1966), and chairman of the Dearborn Historical Commission (1939-1951; 1956-1975).

Mary E. Dietrich (April 28, 1899-Jan. 17, 1969) was the youngest of eight children born to Rev. John and Sarah Dietrich. She earned a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Michigan. While there, Mary met and later married Floyd L. Haight in 1937. She taught at Dearborn High School for 31 years. Mary was a popular speaker, talking about their worldwide trips. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society and its Kappa Chapter (Detroit, Mich.). Floyd L. Haight (March 23, 1897-Nov. 1986) was the only chld of William E. and Mary B. Sherer Haight. He eared an A.B. from Western Michigan University and a M.A. from the University of Michigan. Floyd taught history for 42 years, 32 of those in Dearborn public schools. He retired in 1961. Floyd was a board member of the Board of Trustees of the Michigan Historical Society, past president of the Detroit Metropolitan Social Studies club, Michigan Council of the Social Studies, and the National Council for the Social Studies. For over 20 years he served as chair of the Dearborn Historical Commission. Floyd also served as chair of the Michigan Civil War Centennial Observance Commission, 1958-1966. He was a member of several history and related associations, as well as Pi Gamma Mu, the International Honor Society in Social Science. Floyd served in the U.S. Navy in World War I, and afterwards joined the American Legion, Fort Dearborn Post #364, which he served as Chair of the Dept. of Education. Both Mary and Floyd wrote a number of published and unpublished papers. A number of their published materials are also at the Clarke Historical Library. (Information from the collection.).

Floyd Haight was born March 23, 1897, to William and Mary Haight. He was raised in his birthplace, a farm near Montgomery, in Branch County, Mich. He attended Western Michigan University (bachelor's) and the University of Michigan (master's). During this period, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and taught at Camp Dewey, Ill. Following his discharge, he remained in education, retiring in 1961 after 42 years of teaching social studies and history. He married Mary Esther Dietrich on Aug. 10, 1937. In 1939, he became chairman of the Dearborn Historical Commission, a post he held almost continuously until 1975. From 1959-1966, he was chairman of the Michigan Civil War Centennial Observance Commission. He died on Nov. 27, 1986.