Muhlenberg College - Ciarla Yearbook (Allentown, PA)

Page 22 text:

On January 2, 1966, an era of Muhlenberg history came to a close with the death of Haps Benfer. For forty years Haps Benfer served Muhlenberg with inde- fatigable dedication. He held positions as director of admissions, director of men’s dormitories, registrar, dean of freshmen , and coach of football, basketball, and baseball. In addition, he taught courses in religion and ethics. It is pointless to recount the myriad honors which were bestowed upon Haps during his long and prolific life, beginning in his undergraduate days at Albright College and continuing throughout his career in com- munity and college service. The members of the Class of 1966 will remember Haps Benfer as a man loved and venerated by all who knew him. “How’s Haps?” was a question which was asked innumerable times of us by alumni and friends of Muhlenberg. For us, as for thousands who have preceded us, the memory of Haps Benfer will remain indelibly implanted, long after our last shreds of history and calculus have withered away. Who can forget his first interview with Haps Benfer? Or Haps’ nocturnal peregrinations through Martin Luther Hall? Or his marshalling of freshman forces for the annual freshman-sophomore contests? Or his vigorous stride, instant greeting, and inevitable volubility? Or his efforts to encourage or galvanize de- spondent and sluggish college neophytes? Or a hundred other things. 18

Page 24 text:

But the memory of Haps Benfer has an even more penetrating significance for us. Haps will be remembered most of all for those values and standards to which he dedicated his life: integrity, honor, fair play, hard work, and chastity. He not only desiderated these goals, but represented in himself their virtual apotheo- sis. For forty years of Muhlenberg students. Haps Ben- fer was a father-confessor, mediator, benefactor, and friend; a paragon of the Christian ideal. In posthumous tribute to the profound effect which he exerted upon the development of Muhlenberg College, and to the remembrance of his greatness, we dedicate this year- book to “Mr. Muhlenberg.”