Trained by father
Walt Hass, a well-known and successful contractor, now retired, attended school and spent most of his earlier years in Manning where his father was a contractor. Walt was interested in sports when in high school and recalls that during his senior year he played on an undefeated football team.

"We had to work when we were kids," stated Walt, "so I received most of my training from my father. Following graduation from high school I spent a year in Omaha taking business education. Then I decided to go to the University of Missouri where I studied for a year hoping to major in engineering.

"However, along came the depression so it was imperative that I go to work. Just think, during those years it cost just $10 to enroll in college and about $200 a semester to attend. However, the discouraging aspect was that although there were about 60 of us in the class only about four had any hopes of getting a job upon graduation.

Had to prove himself
"I came to Denison in 1933 and ran an oil station for two and one-half years since there was no work available in my field. The PWA was building the High School on Broadway and I tried three different times to get a job and the man who hired would simply say, you're too young...you don't know anything about carpentry work. "Let me work for you for a week," I said, "and if I am not satisfactory you can let me go...without pay." He consented. "I did my very best and at that time I truly realized how much my father had taught me about the trade.

"At the end of the week the foreman asked, 'Where did you learn this business, son?' I told him. 'Sorry I didn't hire you sooner. Your father was a fine teacher!'

"I worked with the crew here and in Council Bluffs for two years. I returned to Denison and Annemarie and I were married. I continued working with this same contractor building the Crawford County Trust and Savings bank. When the job was completed my employer left and I started a business of my own. I did this for about a year but then World War II caused me to go into the Navy.

Three major invasions
"I spent 30 months in the service participating in three major invasions... Normandy, Philippines and Iwo Jima. We were in the thick of the battle. At one time our ship lost all power and we were just floating...it was towed to Saipan. This ended my active service...two days before V.J. day I was released. Believe me, after experiencing three major invasions it really gets to you. I was ready and happy to get back into civilian life.

Plenty of work
"It seemed like people were waiting for me to return to Denison. I soon had a crew of ten men and we did all kinds of construction work. My first major job was to remodel the First National bank. There were some who were dubious about my ability to handle such a project.

"I proved that I could do this and its successful completion led to bigger things. I have remodeled the Crawford County Trust and Savings twice and built the original Federal Savings and Loan (now, the Heritage Federal Savings) and expanded it a number of years later.

"I built three doctor's clinics: for Grau, Fee and Johnson. The structure that was the most credit to the town was erection of the first pork plant which used to be called Crawford County Pork plant and is now Farmland, About this time I became acquainted with Andy Anderson. We planned the building for IBP and it was soon a reality. I was a member of their board of trustees for ten years.

"I did a great deal of construction work," continued Walt, "of all kinds. I don't think there is a block in downtown Denison that I haven't had a part of in its building.

"My last major jobs were REC building, offices at Farmland and Keystone Corner which is owned by Dick Knowles and myself. There are six business places in this mall plus the Ben Franklin store. I remodeled the first Safeway...twice, in fact, and was given the opportunity to build the new structure. My brother Herb and I built the parish hall for Zion Lutheran and the new Lutheran church in Manning. My father built the first Lutheran church there.

"Although I could have been part of the new Safeway construction I decided to retire. It is now the time to enjoy life rather than to continue building. It gives me much satisfaction," he commented, "when I drive around town and see all the construction for which I have been responsible.

Hobbies
"Traveling is one of my hobbies now that I am retired. We have a mobile home and have driven all over the United States. Last year we went from Oregon and Washington, to Florida and back home. Then we took off for Washington, D.C. and enjoyed all the New England states returning home and headed West to Arizona and California. This was all in the period of one year.

"I like to play golf...have to do this to let off a little excess energy. It's hard to adjust to not working at first. But I like it now...in the summer it's great sport to make all the Senior Citizen golf tournaments...fellowship with men of my own age is great.

Ernie Raun, Rex Ruch, Al Jacobs, Carl Beason and I have a large vegetable garden at Wall Lake...the old goose pond. We get good exercise weeding and harvesting the vegetables. Our problem this, year has been the cost of caring for it with trips back and forth and high gasoline prices.

"We have one daughter, Alice," concluded Walt. "She is married to Vincent Ress and they live in Albany, Oregon. It's nice to travel that way and visit them whenever possible.

"We like the mobile home method of seeing the country. You can be quite leisurely and carry the comforts of home along with you. However, it's really a pleasure to return to Denison where we have had such a good life and so many fine friends."