Nov. 07--Harlan W. Haimes, a periodontist in Northbrook for 40 years, a past president of the Illinois Society of Periodontists, and with his wife Susan, an indefatigable supporter of Chicago-area theater, died Saturday morning in his Highland Park home after a multi-year battle with cancer. He was 69.
Although modest and self-effacing, Haimes was a fervent supporter of the Joseph Jefferson Awards committee for more than two decades and, beyond that, was widely known for his personal support of the careers of Chicago's young theater artists. Prior to his illness, he spent many of his evenings in the theater.
"Harlan and I would easily see 150 to 175 plays a year," Susan Haimes said on Saturday. "We were just happy to support our incredible Chicago theater community."
In 1988, Susan and Harlan Haimes became founding board members of the Highland Park Players, a community theater in the northern suburb, where Harlan Haimes often would perform.
Haines' passion for theater began with his performing musicals at New Trier High School in Glencoe and continued at Northwestern University, where Haimes was a cast member of the Waa-Mu Show for three years.
"He had the most beautiful voice, " said daughter Deborah Haimes. "We all sung around the piano growing up. Theater ran through our blood. It was in the DNA of our family."
In 2009, Haimes served as a panelist in the musical theater area for the National Endowment for the Arts. But his greatest level of support was of the Chicago theater.
"He took artists under his wings," Deborah said. "He never wanted attention for himself."
Nonetheless, the Haimes' support was well-known and appreciated in Chicago's non-profit theater circles. "Harlan just loved us all so much," said Stef Tovar, the artistic director of the Route 66 Theatre Company. "He was such a cheerleader for the community, and our champion."
Along with his wife Susan and daughter Deborah, survivors include another daughter, Shara Lieberman. A funeral has been set for the North Shore Congregation Israel for Monday at 10 a.m.
