By:Nicole Falco
Firefighter recalled for his pride, smile and helping hands
Michael Helmut Haub and 14 other firefighters from Ladder #4 Engine 54 helped to save the lives of 25,000 people on Sept. 11, but the 15 men could not save themselves.
Thirty-four-year-old Haub was ready and waiting for seven long years to get the call from the New York City Fire Department, finally joining the "Bravest" in November 1999. As ready as he was, nothing could have prepared him for Sept. 11's horrible events.
Although he and his wife, Erika, lived in Mineola, their two children were baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in the Alden Terrace section of Valley Stream. Last Wednesday, Erika, Michael Andreas, 4, and Kiersten, 16 months, attended his funeral there.
Hundreds of firefighters, Haub's other family members and friends crowded into the small church. Mourners included surviving members of Ladder 4/Engine 54, members of his former company, Ladder 130 in College Point, Queens, and members of the Roslyn Heights Highlands Co. where Haub began his firefighting career in 1988.
While with the Roslyn company, Haub worked his way up to captain and participated in the Avianca airplane crash rescue and recovery efforts in January 1990. Before going on the job with the FDNY, Haub worked for Conrad Soebke, his friend and best man at his 1998 wedding to Erika.
"It seemed like I knew him forever, except this time forever really wasn't long enough," Soebke said in his eulogy at the funeral. "In the aftermath of this tragic event, Michael answered one more call, the call to God."
Soebke also spoke of Haub's great pride in his German heritage. Haub, the son of Helmut and the late Edda Haub, belonged to numerous German-American associations including the Brooklyn Schuetzen Corp. and the New York Schuetzen Corp. Haub was fluent in German, a skill he wanted to pass down to his children.
Haub was the former rifle range master of the Brooklyn Schuetzen Corp., according to his friend of 14 years, Hans Henke, 53, of Floral Park. Henke, a former captain of the group, recalled Haub as being an "active, happy-go-lucky" guy who was always "very willing and able."
"Whenever we had an affair, he'd always be involved. He was just a wonderful man," Henke said following the service.
Other members of the German-American organization, who arrived at the church clad in their full dress-uniforms, shared Henke's sentiments.
"He never said no to helping anybody - no matter who - he didn't have to know you well," said his friend of 10 years and fellow Schuetzen member, Otto Schafer of Glendale, Queens.
Haub was also fondly remembered by the men with whom he served at Manhattan's Ladder 4, Engine 54, headquartered at 8th Avenue and 48th Street.
Although Haub had been based in the Manhattan firehouse for less than one year, Lt. Rich Tarkenton said, "A bond only firemen would know or understand was created - a long time is not needed.... Whenever I entered a building where courage was needed, [Haub] entered with me."
Firefighter Joe Farrell of North Babylon knew Haub for two years. The two men met when Haub was stationed at Ladder 130 in College Point. Haub transferred from Ladder 130 to the Manhattan house as part of his firefighter training.
"He was always Mr. Fix-it. He wouldn't just fix something, he'd recreate it. He was very ingenious," Farrell said. "He'd take the bull by the horns and roll with it."
Firefighter Brian Slevin of Huntington also served with Haub in Ladder 130. Slevin was close with Haub outside of the firehouse, getting together with their families. According to Slevin, Haub often spoke of his wife and kids with pride.
Haub is one of three men lost during the World Trade Center attack who had previously served at Ladder 130. "[Our sorrow] brings us closer together," Slevin said.
Slevin recalled Haub as being quiet and humble.
"You couldn't find anybody to say anything bad about him," Slevin said. "He'll be terribly missed, I feel like I've lost a piece of me."
