Allen Haws, a longtime Bayer CropScience executive who retired in 1996, passed away from a heart attack on Monday, July 14. He was 67. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Haws was hired by Bayer CropScience in 1968, eventually rising to the position of Director of Marketing, Specialty Products.
A strong advocate for the specialty chemical industry, Haws played a central role in the formation of Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE). "Allen was one of the original founders of RISE," observed Allen James, RISE president. "He was the first Communications Committee chairman, as well as a member of the first Board of Directors. As chair of the Communications Committee, he was responsible for coming up with the name RISE and for the logo, both major contributions. He also was one of the industry leaders who realized that we not only have to communicate effective messages about our products, but vigorously defend our industry."
Jeff Vannoy, marketing manager for Whitmire Micro-Gen Research Laboratories, who was hired by Haws, said, “Allen was a foundation in the pest control industry for nearly two decades and really helped bring attention and focus to our industry amongst the large crop science companies at that time.”
Rick Robb, a former colleague still working for Bayer CropScience, said Haws “loved the pest control business. He was extremely loyal to the people who worked for him, but you didn’t want to get on his bad side. He was extremely focused and passionate about everything he did. He’ll be missed.”
Haws was active in the National Pest Management Association, Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE), and the United Producers, Formulators & Distributors Association (UPF&DA), where he served on the board of directors.
“Allen served on the UPF&DA Board from 1992 to 1995,” observed Executive Director Valera Jessee. “He was one of the first manufacturer representatives and his participation helped bring uniformity to the allied industries’ common concerns and issues.”
“The passing of Allen Haws came as a shock and a complete surprise,” said Roland Rhodes, owner of Rhodes Chemical Co., Kansas City, Kan. “We spent a lot of time together when he was active with Bayer. He will be missed.”
“There were few people as passionate about the pest control industry as Allen Haws,” added Dan Moreland, publisher, PCT magazine, Richfield, Ohio. “He was a staunch defender of the industry who had great passion and enthusiasm for his work.”
A Vietnam War veteran, Haws is survived by his wife, Cynthia Haws; son Lynn Haws and his wife Megan; son Allen Haws; daughter Cherie Shallo and her husband Christiaan; mother Bertha Richmond; brother Wayne Haws and his wife Lynette; sister Martha Findley and her husband Larry; and a grandson, Kalani Shallo.
A memorial service will be held for Haws at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19, at the Heartland Church of Christ in Kansas City, Mo. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Heartland Church of Christ, 6120 NW Prairie View Road, Kansas City, MO 64151, www.heartlandchurchus.com.