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Charles "Randy" Hausmann
Godfrey - Charles "Randy" Hausmann passed away on Saturday, June 5, 2021.
Randy was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the only child of Dr. Charles and Pearl Hausmann. He grew up in Alton, Illinois, on the grounds of the Alton State Hospital where his father served as a dentist. Randy attended Alton High School where he ran track and played football, graduating in 1960. Randy attended college at the SIU Alton campus where he majored in art. It was there that he met his future wife, Ralpha Echols.
The couple married in 1963 and resided in Alton where they raised two sons, Marc and Ben. Randy worked a variety of jobs from salesman to cook eventually becoming a letter carrier for the US Post Office. The couple retired to Branson, Missouri, where they lived almost 20 years before returning to Alton to be closer to family and friends.
After retirement, Randy returned to his true passion, art. He was particularly drawn to subjects specific to Alton, from the Piasa Bird to the bald eagles. Randy taught himself the Japanese print making style of Gyotaku, a traditional method employed by fishermen to record their catch. He also made unique jewelry and wooden sculptures from drift wood found along the banks of the Mississippi River. Randy loved to talk about art and frequented farmers markets and bazaars where he could share his art with the community.
In addition to art, Randy was a proud grandfather, an avid gardener, fisherman, animal lover, mushroom hunter, reader, adventurous cook, and a big fan of humor, both good and bad. Randy was the definitive Renaissance man with interests ranging from archeology and history to literature and science. He was a lifelong learner who enthusiastically shared his knowledge with his family, friends, and anyone who would listen.
Of particular interest to Randy upon his return to Alton was his desire to move the city away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy. Randy approached former Mayor Walker with the concept and there is a currently a signed agreement to build a large solar array that will provide clean energy and revenue to the city. This opportunity to give back to his hometown was a genuine source of pride.
Randy is survived by his wife Ralpha; his sons, Marc and Ben (Michelle O'Malley); along with his grandchildren, Liam and Nora with whom he spent many hours perfecting the art of grandparenting.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be held 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Thursday, June 10, 2021, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey, Illinois.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m., Friday, June 11, 2021, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton. Father Paul Nguyen, OMV will officiate.
Burial will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Alton.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of Randy's favorite charities: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the Southern Poverty and Law Center.
Online condolences may be left at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
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Ralpha and Randy Hausmann - Photo by Priscilla (Peterson) Harris
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Marilyn Hope Waide (Lake)
I am deeply saddened by Randy's death. Somehow in my mind, I thought he would go on forever. Some of us have known him since grade school. I want to express my deepest sympathy to his loved ones. I know there will be many of you who will want to leave comments here. He was an active member of our class and will be sorely missed.
P.S. Regarding that picture I put up. I imagine every one of those fish was cooked perfectly and enjoyed by family and friends.
Judy Hershey (Melly)
So sad to find out we lost Randy! It was so good to catch up with him at reunions! There should have been another reunion!
His warmth and cheery personality were the same as when we were growing up together. I had the privilege of knowing him throughout our school years. He was always bright and connected. May he rest in peace and his family be comforted by happy memories of a wonderful guy!
Judy Hershey Melly
Perry Coons
I certainly agree with the posts offered by Marilyn and Judy. Randy was a pleasure to know and hang out with during our years at AHS. I enjoyed his sense of humor and his drive, in sports as well as academics We started as SIU Alton at the same time, and both with plans to major in art, I believe our plans changed at different times, as Randy found local employment with the USPS and me with the US Army, which did not include local employment.
Having communicated with Randy while he lived in Brandon, I was happily surprised to see him at the reunion in 2015. We discussed his decision to return to Alton and my plans to remain in Denver.
This loss is a very sad one for many of us. I wish Ralpha and the rest of Randy's family and friends the very best during this most difficult time. I pray they will find a measure of comfort, relying on the memories of their years together.
May God give Randy Rest in Perfect Peace.
R. Perry Coons
Roger Cooke
I too thought Randy would go on forever. He was one of the kindest and sanest, most reasonable people I've ever met. And he excelled in things I could never dream of doing. He played varsity football!! He belonged with the athletic heroes we all had (and I still have): Mike Yavorski, Stan McAfoos,...,well, I could go on naming them all day, and I'd still leave out some deserving people.
And he had artistic talent, which I never did---couldn't draw a straight line with a ruler.
Rest in peace, Randy. If I were in Alton, I'd certainly be at your funeral.
Mike Smith
Dear Ralpha,
I'm sitting here going through Mike's computer, and the notice of Randy's passing popped up. I am so sorry to hear that, and I truely hope you are doing okay. I know how hard it is, Mike just passed away on the 24th of May, so this is all new to me too. I certainly have good memories of the four of us always meeting for lunch whenever we came to Alton. Mike always said Randy was the school friend he had had for the longest. I'm so glad they never lost touch of one another. Perhaps now they will be able to spend more time together talking memories, telling tall tales, solving all the world's problems, and going fishing. You have my deep sympathy and prayers for peace and comfort. You're in my thoughts.
In friendship,
Alpha Smith
Roger Cooke
Dear Alpha,
You and I never met, but I was very fond of Mike and thought that he, like Randy, was a guy who "had it all together." I'm glad to see from his page at the class website that he really did have it all together.
And I'm very sad to see that Mike also has vanished from our sight. My sympathy to you and your daughters. I'm sure Marilyn will put up a notice of Mike's passing at the class website.
Roger Cooke
Bill Kodros
Dear Ralpha,boys, and family, Debbie, Sally and I were very sorry to hear Randy had passed away. I had been thinking about Randy over the weekend without knowing about his passing. We go back a long way, grade school, East Jr., and Alton High. We were in Cub Scouts together, visited each other's homes, played football and ran track together at East and Alton High, were neighbors on Euclid where Ben and Sally found trouble easily together. What a great guy and family! Our upper Alton group has had wonderful things to say about him, and I echo those thoughts. As usual, we always wish we had stayed in closer contact through the years, but when we did see each other it was just like it had been, always friends. Our very best to all of you.
Bill and Debbie Kodros
Jo Anne Goodwin (Huntsman)
I didn't really know Randy in school, but I did talk with him at some of our class dinners and found him to be very pleasant and friendly. My sympathy to his family and friends.
Priscilla Peterson (Harris)
Oh my, what can you say about our good friend Randy. Randy, Ralpha, Stan and Millicent visited me several years ago here in Tulsa. We had such a good time. I had visited them in Branson. Ralpha was my next door neighbor on Central Ave. Randy and I were in the 7-2 and 8-2 class at the old East Jr high across from AHS. Just this last year I helped him with his family genealogy. Randy was a unique person with an all encompassing mind. I feel so sorry for Ralpha, Mark, Ben and the grandkids. He will be missed by them and by all of his many friends. My heart aches at his passing. Your good friend, Priscilla.
Cindy Kodros (Garvey)
Ralpha, I am so upset with Randy'spassing. I had sent you a message on Face Book but you may not have gotten it. The special things
that have been said by his classmates will mean alot to you and your children. Please take care and know your friends are near. You were the cutest couple and always looked so happy. Randy was a special person that loved you❤️