Haught takes on new flight

Former teacher known for his trip to North Pole

By J. NOEL ESPINOZA

The Brownsville Herald

February 9, 2005 When Arlo Alvin Haught retired from Cummings Middle School in 1998, many of his former students remembered him as the teacher who shared his life adventures in class with them.

Born in Clayton County, Iowa, and a computer teacher for 26 years, Haught died Monday at the age of 71.

Among his most notable achievements occurred in June 1962 when he and his Naval Air Force unit were in the first helicopter to fly to the North Pole.

They (unit) were taking supplies to a weather station where the Nautilus, the worlds first nuclear powered submarine, was going to surface there, said Edward Haught, one of four surviving sons and also a computer teacher at Cummings Middle School. The flight was very rare because they had only 20 days in order to fly the helicopter there.

Edward Haught, 46, said it was a difficult task, because the Nautilus could only break the ice during the warmest days in the latter part of June.

Although the mission was a success, Edward Haught said his father paid a high price when the helicopters heater broke down.

He didnt lose his toes but he got frostbite on his toes, Edward Haught said. He had great pain whenever he was in cold weather. Thats why he loved being in South Texas.

In that same trip to the North Pole, Edward Haught said his dad met Warner Vaughn Braun, the scientist responsible for the construction of the Nautilus.

He shared his life adventures with his students, Edward Haught said. He incorporated his experiences into his teaching, which made it exciting for the students.

Debby Reyna, a computer literacy teacher at Cummings who knew Arlo Haught, said he was a special teacher.

The students loved Mr. Haught, because he was fair, but firm, Reyna said. He found ways to make learning interesting.

Arlos wife Gwendolyn Miller Haught said her husband loved teaching, a career he began after serving his country for 17 years.

He always treated his students like they were his own children, Miller Haught said. He was constantly being approached by students when he would go out (after retirement). The students always remembered him.

Arlo Haughts funeral Mass will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday at St. Marys Catholic Church.

He will be buried in Elkader, Iowa, at a later date.

nespinoza@brownsvilleherald.com