Jim was a classmate in junior high and high school. He was without question one of the sharpest guys I ever knew. I think he got bored in our advanced math class. Sad to hear of his passing (I did hear of his death last June), but glad to see the pictures here - it looks like he found contentment. I had Joel as a TA at Iowa freshman year, but didn't get much information about Jim back then. He always intrigued me because his path was a bit less traditional (at least back then) and he wasn't afraid to step away from expectations. Peace to all his friends and family.

Dear JoAnn,

So sorry to hear of Jim's passing.

You were great neighbors to have across the street.

Wishing you strength and comfort at this difficult time.

Our prayers are with you.

Celeste and Dave Vincent

I was shocked to hear that Jim passed away. I went to grad school with Jim. He was a such a positive influence on my life. I enjoyed boating with Jim decades ago. I last spoke with him about 5 years ago. I always intended to get back in touch and do some scuba, boating, etc. He went too early, and reminds me to enjoy life to its fullest. Jim will be missed.

Didn't know Jim well-but what a nice person he was.

Ephi and I are saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a wonderful friend. I remember his first dive trip and our all night sing along (Mike never did get any sleep). There was the chorus of “Those were the days,” out in front of the steak house in Long Branch. We had such a great time. I can say that we will miss his wonderful humor and easy going style. It is a great lose.

To all of Jim’s family you have our deepest sympathies.

With Love,

Ephi & Sheldon

We are thinking of you today. Sorry for your loss. May God's loving kindness be evident to you as you embrace friends and family in fond memories of your dad.

Jim. Where do I start? Jim changed my life. I don't mean in a small way that he made me smile or gave me reason to be thankful — Jim changed my life. In the spring of 2007, I enrolled in a scuba diving class at the University of Iowa that I didn't even know could be offered in Iowa. When I saw there was an opening my eyes widened: Only 2 of 8 spots left — I was stoked to get in! Scuba diving was something I watched in awe on TV and dreamed of as a kid, and like so many dreams it seemed to fall out of reach to a farm boy growing up between muddy shores in the sticks of southern Iowa. Jim, however, made it possible. Not the university registrar: Jim did. He's the one who watched carefully as I peeked below the surface and took those first breaths from a regulator. So calm. I was anxious beyond belief but in that place foreign to me and without words to be spoken, Jim had this reassuring, calming presence about him and I stayed—calm. That's something that stands well to be remembered of Jim. Well, and that cosmic white hair that was so "Jim"! Yep – we're going to miss that. As nervous little students in sometimes cold, dark water we never had to question where to turn for help. Always at arm's length, Jim was very attentive. He was a great instructor. I wanted to be cool like him.

I finished that Open Water Diver course and was off to explore an exciting new world. Some days later I received a certification card in the mail! I felt so accomplished: I was a scuba diver. A few quarry trips later I signed up for Jim's Advanced class. From there, a Rescue course led by JoAnn, who's also a wonderful teacher. (This was all made possible by Jim.)

My first dives in the rough ocean kicked my butt. Jim, JoAnn, and I had a good laugh together about that, followed always by sound advice. I had a close call on a later occasion that by all rights should've made me a statistic. Once ashore, the first thing I did was call Jim. I thanked he and JoAnn for training me well enough to handle a tough situation. Through every trying moment I've had underwater, there was Jim's reassuring voice in my mind: "If you're breathing, you're doing well." His advice will always be there to help me out of a pickle.

Remember me saying I wanted to be like Jim? Well I'm an instructor now, still looking up to Jim and passing on to others the advice he gave to me. As a budding new trainer I once asked, "Jim, why don't you use a drysuit when teaching in the quarry — Does it add difficulty?" His response: "No, it's actually easier but if I don't get cold, how can I properly gauge when my students are cold?" That's a testament to the kind of man Jim was: He'd never ask anybody to do anything he wasn't willing to do himself. I admired his ethics. In all my diving experience, Jim was the best trainer and mentor I had. He was my go-to advisor when I had a question others couldn't answer. I leaned heavily on his experience to help me get to where I am today and it's with a very heavy heart I must bid farewell to my friend and colleague. I'm going to miss him dearly but I smile knowing I have a friend in each and every one of you who knew and loved him.

Jim's influence has brought joy, long-lasting friendships, and even a rewarding career to my life. I've been blessed to call him a friend. We have a saying at PADI that "We're not just in the diving business: We're in the transformation business." This was so very true to my relationship with Jim and I'm forever thankful to have had him as my mentor. We are all lucky.

Curtis A. Wee

PADI MSDT-334824

To the family of Jim Haack:

I am deeply saddened of learning of Jim's passing. He was my scuba instructor and helped me realize a dream of becoming a certified diver. I was planning on having him teach my son this summer as well. He was a kind and gentle person who will be missed. Follow the bubbles up Jim and Rest in Peace my friend.

Words are hard to find at times like this. Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks to all of you for sharing Jim with all of us that learned more about our underwater world from him. We send our love to you and will dedicate our next dive to Jim's memory.

My precious sisterfriend, Joann, and all of our so very special Jim's family, my very, very heart is with you now and For Always as I pray for you so much and so often that our Good and Sweet God comfort you and give you much solace. I am for sure sending such positive energy all of your way! Jim was such a very special and so very dear person. Joann, you, too, are just the absolutely very, very best! My heart is with you now and I am here for you so very much praying for and thinking of you dear Joann and all of your precious, special, and beloved family! May our Good God be with all of you now and always!

JoAnn-

I was so saddened to read that Jim had passed! I am so very sorry for your loss! Your family is in my prayers. Jim was such a wonderful and happy man, he will be missed by so many!

We met Jim in 2000 and since then had many memorable trips and Gatherings with Jim. Thanks to Jim he opened Cathy's eyes and heart to the undersea world. Although now due to health restrictions we nolonger dive, memories of our dive trips with Jim will be remembered as one of our happiness times in our lives.

To Jim's family and friends we are deeply saddened by your loss.

JoAnn - I am so sorry to hear this news. Please know that I am keeping you and your family in prayer.

Marvin Huber

Lori and I would like to offer our sincere condolences. Neither of us knew your father, but we will hold you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.

Jim was our scuba instructor and friend, and we always enjoyed the Gatherings we had at Pizza Ranch to share stories and photos of underwater adventures. We will sorely miss him. Our deepest condolences to Joann and the whole family.

Jim was a good man, a good friend, and a good teacher. My life is richer for having known him, greater for calling him "friend," and diminished by his passing. My sympathies to his family.

Many, many heartfelt thoughts, Jenni and family, as you mourn your father's passing and celebrate his life.

Dear Jenni.....So sorry for yor loss..having lost both of my parents I can truly say I do no how you feel..We are all thinking of you & your family..memories are forever!! Jan Robertson & family

Joanne, Jenni, Kevin, Annika and Mia,

We are so incredibly sorry for your loss. It's so hard to imagine any school event without Jim smiling face coming back at us. He was always there for you girls in anyway that he needed to be. And incredible father husband and grandfather. He will be missed by all. Please know that we are here in your time of need, if you need anything at all just let us know.

The Fettkether's

May your family feel the peace and comfort of our heavenly Father.

Dear Jenni and the entire Olson Family,

On behalf of the administrative team and the West Branch Board of Education, we send our condolences to you and Kevin and the girls!

We send our prayers, best wishes and thoughts your way and please know that we are here to support you and the girls in anyway you might need!

Sincerely,

Mr. Hatfield

I was saddened to get an email from Janelle at Louisa indicating Jim had passed away on Sunday. I first met Jim when he was working at Riverside Generating Station when I just got out of high school and worked there the following summers while I went to college. He was one of the nicest, and brightest individuals I have ever known. Yes he lived life to the fullest and he told me more than once that I needed to "slow down and smell the roses" which is so true. Sorry I will be unable to come over to Iowa City this weekend. I'm so sorry to hear about this unexpected loss and hope his family members and close friends are holding up well.

Sincerely,

Dave Strom

I have really enjoyed knowing Jim for the last 20 years. I am sorry for your loss JoAnn and I will really miss him.

Rich, Bridget and Alex Prochaska

Our hearts reach out to you as you tread this journey of loss and memories and recalibrating your lives without Jim.

Raymond and Kathryn Hain, Ruth, Anna, and Josiah (JoAnn's brother, sister in law, nieces and nephew.

JoAnn, I was deeply saddened to hear of your loss. My heart goes to you and your family in your time of grieving. Please know that all of us at P&G are here for you and ready to support with whatever you need.

I am so sad to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,

Dee

JoAnn! I am so sorry! This was not supposed to happen! He was a wonderful man and I'm proud to say I knew him and that you both taught me scuba. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and his family!

Love, Gail and Steve