Richard “Dick” Haney, 84, of Duluth, Minnesota, passed away September 23, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Dick was born October 2, 1941, in Duluth to Richard Warren Haney and Alice Marciniak Haney. He grew up on Anoka Street in Woodland, on the edge of Hartley Park, where he spent his childhood exploring the woods and getting into his fair share of mischief. It seems fitting that a boy who grew up roaming Hartley would spend his life helping others discover the outdoors.

Education was very important to Dick. He graduated from Duluth East High School and attended the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), earning a degree in Physical Education and a Master’s degree in Biology, becoming the first college graduate in his family. In 1964, he married Kathleen Shepard, and together they had four children: Rick, Julie, Carolyn, and Kevin.

Dick devoted much of his professional life to UMD, serving 28 years as Director of Recreational Sports from 1975 to 2003. He was instrumental in developing what became UMD’s Recreational Sports Outdoor Program (RSOP), introducing generations of students to outdoor recreation and active living. Following his UMD career, he continued sharing his knowledge and passion by teaching outdoor recreation at Lake Superior College.

The Boundary Waters and Quetico were Dick’s favorite places in the world. He made countless trips into the wilderness throughout his life, canoeing, camping, and portaging with friends, students, and family. He also treasured his solo trips, sometimes disappearing into the wilderness for weeks at a time — eventually prompting his worried family to insist he carry a tracker, something Dick was decidedly less enthusiastic about doing.

Hockey was another important part of Dick’s life. He coached youth hockey at Glen Avon, served on the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association Board of Directors, and became a registered USA Hockey official in 1978. He helped establish the Minnesota Hockey Officials Association, served as Minnkota District Referee-in-Chief, and spent decades educating and mentoring officials. His contributions were recognized with the Minnesota Hockey Officials Association President’s Award and, in 2018, the USA Hockey’s Chet Stewart Award.

Dick believed strongly that everyone should have opportunities to get outside and be active. He served on the Duluth Parks and Recreation Commission, was a founding member of the Healthy Duluth Area Coalition, and advocated for trails and recreational opportunities throughout the region, including the Campus Connector Trail and Cross City Trail. He also played an important role in outdoor recreation planning in Gnesen Township and helped finalize the township’s 2022 Comprehensive Plan.

In 2022, UMD named the on-campus Rec Sports ice rink the Richard Haney Multipurpose Rink in recognition of his contributions. The Richard Haney Recreational Leadership Award also continues to recognize student leadership in recreation. In 2024, the Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance honored Dick with the Judy Gibbs “Unless” Award for his lifetime contributions to outdoor recreation, conservation, and the Great Lakes region.

Thompson Lake also held a special place in Dick’s heart. He and Patricia Ryan were married on their property there in 1993 and built a beautiful log home that became a gathering place for family, friends, and UMD Outdoor Program students. It was a place where his grandchildren grew up exploring, camping, and enjoying all the outdoor activities. Dick later protected 38 acres and more than 4,000 feet of shoreline through the Minnesota Land Trust, preserving the land they loved for generations to come.

Dick is survived by his children, Rick (Erin) Haney, Julie (Colin) Reichhoff, Carolyn (Mike) Siers, and Kevin (Amy) Haney; and his grandchildren, Sarah, Annie, Porter, Letitia, Michael, Nolan, Daniel, Elena, and Wyatt.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; his parents, Richard and Alice; and his sisters, Caroljean Howdeshell and Beverly Thorsen.

Dick’s legacy lives on in the programs he helped build, the trails he advocated for, the land he protected, and the generations of students, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts he taught and mentored. More personally, it lives in his children and grandchildren — in every paddle stroke, portage, campfire, frozen lake, trail explored, and wilderness adventure they will continue to enjoy because he first showed them the way. His family will return to the Boundary Waters, his favorite place in the world, to celebrate him and carry that legacy forward.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 17, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Gnesen Community Center: 6356 Howard Gnesen Rd, Duluth, MN 55803. Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate Dick’s life and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials in Dick’s honor may be directed to any of the following: Friends of the Boundary Waters, UMD Richard Haney Recreational Leadership Award, or Minnesota Land Trust.

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