Jeffrey William Haugh - Obituary

eff’s story is inspiring. His life was too full of faith, love, generosity, humor, and strength to be sorrowful. Jeff had an unwavering faith in God. This faith was the foundation for his incredible devotion to his family and friends and for his military service. Jeff was a leader in every community he entered. His humor and gentle spirit gave him a remarkable ability to connect with people and to touch so many lives. Jeff was also an exceptional athlete. Sports were central to his being and the way he lived his life. Here is the highlight reel: Jeff was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington to Jeannie Grady Newlands Haugh, who now resides in Annapolis, MD and Karl David Haugh who lives in Kauai, HI with his wife, Susan. Jeff innately had a compassionate nature. Growing up, he cultivated his love for the outdoors, for adventure, and for sports. He particularly loved skiing, football, hiking, and wrestling. Always up for an adventure, to celebrate his nomination to the Air Force Academy, he summited Mount Rainier (one of the highest in the country). Jeff’s parents, teachers and coaches instilled in Jeff the values of hard work and mental resilience. He developed these traits and everlasting friendships through many sports teams and outdoor ventures. Jeff had little fear and he put others before himself, the perfect combination for military service. Service to Country: After graduating from Curtis High School, Jeff’s tenacity and sports led him to Colorado Springs, where he began his journey at the United States Air Force Academy. Jeff played football (#55) during four bowl seasons. 1998 was an incredible year for Jeff and the Air Force Falcons. They won the O’ahu Bowl vs. University of Washington and ultimately, the Western Athletic Conference. Jeff was also recognized during Air Force vs. Navy, as “Player of the Game.” His time at the Air Force Academy nurtured his faith in God, began a deep-rooted brotherhood with his teammates and fellow Cadets, and was the foundation for his outstanding military career. Jeff began his Air Force career with a series of special operations schools that solidified his resolve and toughness. Jeff was a Combat Controller and later an Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) Agent. He served a combat tour in Iraq in 2003, where he earned the Combat Action Ribbon. He then continued to serve near Cambridge, England until 2004. Jeff’s final tour was in Washington D.C. as a Commander of OSI, Bolling AFB. During this tour, he earned a master’s degree from Georgetown University. In 2006, Jeff medically retired from the Air Force due to service-related health issues caused by injuries he suffered in Iraq. His selfless service extended beyond the Air Force into his daily life as a civilian business owner. Service to Community: Although retired, he remained remarkably committed to service. He volunteered his time and many talents throughout his life. He helped children with special needs for over 20 years and he established a non-profit organization called Team Racing For Veterans (Team R4V), which helped disabled combat veterans access various sports activities, equipment, and events to help them rehabilitate through exercise and sport. This charity helped establish the CrossFit gym at Walter Reed hospital. Jeff also committed to helping young injured troops navigating medical services from both public and private agencies. Community boards included the Maryland Works Board and his neighborhood Eagles Passages Board. Jeff was a business owner/partner with Falcon Solutions and Silver Star Consulting. In his spare time, Jeff entertained his family and friends with his unique sense of humor. He was always up for a hike, a swim, a surf, or any other adventure that was remotely dangerous. Just two months before his cancer diagnosis in 2018, Jeff hiked through the Swiss Alps for five days, bungee jumped, and went paragliding – Jeff’s kind of trip. He loved bonfires and sleeping outdoors, not camping, just sleeping outdoors! He had an amazing ability to get others to take part in his adventures too. He started his ultimate adventure bare footed in Destin, FL, where he met the love of his life, Angela Papavasiliou. Devotion to Family: Jeff lived by the tenets of faith, family, and country. These were ever present in his last days. We watched these beliefs evolve as he became a husband and father and firmly established themselves as the cornerstone of the family life he built with Angela and their three children Christos, Alexa, and Demi. Jeff and Angie have raised their children to the standards they have lived by and embodied. They live by the creed “Fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith.” At its core it heralds the profound impact of the great influences of Jeff’s military service, life experiences, interwoven with Angie’s own strength of will and survivorship over her own battle with cancer just before they tied the knot in September 2005. This has become the anthem for this unshakeable family. Through all of the adversity they faced, Jeff and Angie always managed to be “their best selves” and to make the best out of any situation. In the midst of the COVID pandemic and home-schooling, Jeff and Angie recaptured their precious family time that was lost during seven months of treatment in NYC, where he resided. They used music, dancing, monopoly, jeopardy, sport challenges, and remade the back yard into a summer-camp worthy space. Jeff touted Angie to be his hero, a sentiment that he believed wholeheartedly and the notion we know brought him peace and solace when he drew his last breath on August 27th, 2020. He knew he had done all he could for his family and that “she has got this!” It is in Angie’s strength, loving nature, grace, and true grit that we should all feel confident that she will take up the mantle, carry on Jeff’s legacy, and continue to raise and guide their children through successes and fumbles that will face them in the future. Jeff’s legacy will live strongly through his family and countless friends who loved and admired him. Just days ago, Jeff told us: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Arrangement Details: To honor Jeff, a private church service will be held the morning of September 7th, followed by an outdoor family gathering at Quiet Water’s Park, Annapolis, MD at the Red Maple Pavilion. The family will be accepting condolences from 1 – 4pm and kindly request that all adults wear masks for those attending who may be high risk. Due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions, please consider limiting visits to 15-30 minutes, so all can have a moment to pay their respects. If possible, please plan to visit during designated time blocks by last name to prevent a line, or crowding. 1-2 pm: A – H, 2-3pm I – R, and 3-4pm S – Z. If prior engagements do not allow you to pay respects during these time blocks, you are welcome to arrive between 1-4pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the following organizations: Two Top Adaptive Sports Foundation, 717-507-7668, Mercersburg PA 17236, Live Water Foundation , 7314 Edgewood Road, Annapolis, MD 21403, Warfighter Sports, Move United, 451 Hungerford Drive, Ste. 608, Rockville, MD 20850, and Wounded Warrior Project. , 4899 Belford Road, Ste. 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 Condolences may be made by using the memories link on this page.