Richard Henry Haines

01/05/1946 - 03/03/2025

Richard Henry Haines, New Albany, 79, passed away on March 3, 2025. He was born in Petoskey, Michigan, and was raised on a dairy farm by his parents, Robert W. Haines and Ruby Haines, deceased. He was also preceded in death by his identical twin, Robert A. Haines, and by his brother Barry Croff. 

He is survived by his wife of nearly fifty years, Sarah Criss Haines ("Sally"); a sister, Beverly Shull; his brother Tom Croff (Esther); and several nieces and nephews.

Richard was a photojournalist and feature writer for Michigan newspapers early in his career. He was a retired major of the United States Army Reserve and served as a combat photojournalist during the Vietnam War. While in the Army Reserve and the Indiana National Guard he worked in public affairs.

Following the Persian Gulf War, he became one of the first nationally recognized independent advocates for veterans, their families and children adversely affected by environmental toxins. For his work in researching this widespread illness, he received the American Academy of Environmental Medicine’s highest annual award for a lay person in 1994.

Richard graduated with a degree in political science from Michigan State University and earned an MBA from Butler University. He served as a consultant to the Indiana Department of Commerce to help family businesses adapt to imports. He later assisted inventors and coordinated venture capital financing for new technology firms.

He was a licensed financial advisor for more than thirty years until retirement, focusing especially on helping families with business succession and estate planning in coordination with other professionals.

Richard loved his work throughout his long career but found time to read extensively, create beautiful gardens and landscapes, and travel stateside and abroad with his wife Sarah. 

The family wishes to express special gratitude to Indiana Veterans Service Officer Ronnie Iglesias and to the many persons at Robley Rex VA Medical Center in Louisville and the New Albany VA Clinic for the outstanding care and attention they devoted to Richard during his final years. 

Plans for interment have not been finalized at this time.

Donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.