Theodore John Habarth

BIGFORK — Theodore John Habarth, 65, of Bigfork, died of a sudden heart attack at his home on Swan Lake on May 19, 2006.

Ted was born in Detroit Mich., on Nov. 5, 1940, the second son of Gerald C. Habarth and Sophie E. Leipus. He had one older brother, Roger C. Habarth.

Theodore, better known as Ted, was an educator, a humanitarian, a philanthropist and a visionary. Throughout his life he held close to three core values: sacrifice to others, hard work, and a belief in the fundamental goodness of all of humanity. In every sphere of his life, whether professional, social, religious or personal, these beliefs permeated his being and colored his every action.

Ted grew up in Detroit amidst a large extended family and was always remembered by relatives as an eternally happy and friendly child. The strong bonds of love and friendship that characterized his childhood were to become one of the hallmarks of his life. Then, as now, Ted was always known for bringing people together and creating unions. Indeed, he seemed to thrive on this.

He attended the University of Notre Dame and received a Bachelor's degree 1963. Later he moved to Chile to continue his studies, receiving a Master's degree in Theology in 1966 from the Catholic University in Santiago. Following graduation he obtained a position as the Director of the North American Institute in the northern Chilean city of Antofagasta. It was also in that year that he met and fell in love with Ellen Biggs Vogel. He and Ellen were married on Jan. 5, 1967, in Santiago, and soon after they returned to the United States.

Ted's interest in philosophy, education and theology were inspired by a deep desire to bring positive change into the world. As an Equal Employment Officer at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Maryland he worked tirelessly to resolve conflicts and establish equal treatment within that community. Because of this important work as an advocate for equality, he was invited into the federal government to help develop affirmative action policy for the administration of then President Jimmy Carter.

In 1976, as the then Assistant to the Director for Special Programs at APL, Ted founded the GEM program (The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering). GEM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting and encouraging minority students who wish to enter graduate school to pursue higher degrees in engineering and the natural sciences. Among his many awards was the Reginald H. Jones Distinguished Service Award given each year by the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. Upon Ted's request, all of the money from this award was used to establish the Maryland MESA Scholarship Fund.

Another of his major initiatives was the Journey Program: an innovative, multimedia educational project combining television, video and the classroom. Aimed at providing motivational and career guidance to teenagers, the Journey Program received the prestigious Emmy Award in Education in 1993.

Upon retirement from APL Ted and Ellen relocated to Bigfork, drawn there by the beauty of the landscape, the people, and their love of the outdoors. Again Ted soon became known for his kind and good-natured character, establishing numerous friendships within various Bigfork communities. As a strong supporter of the local Catholic Church, he was instrumental in raising funds for construction of the new Pope John Paul II Church in Bigfork.

Ted was enormously creative and active in all aspects of life. Early in his career he took up painting and developed a highly personal and original body of art work. His creative energies however knew no boundaries of discipline or medium; his entire life was an engagement in the process of inventing, making and remaking. His recreational pursuits included woodworking, fishing, and above all, gardening. Ted also loved sports, and at one point tried-out for the Detroit Red Wings hockey team.

Ted is survived by his wife, Ellen Habarth of Bigfork; one daughter, Caroline Guizol and husband Marc of Bigfork; three sons, Robert Vente and wife Shawna of Keller, Texas; Peter Vente and wife Elizabeth of Naples, Fla., and Gerald Habarth and wife Alejandra of Morgantown, W.V. and 13 grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial for Theodore John Habarth was held May 24 at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church in Bigfork with Father Darold Shea as celebrant.