Over 200 people attended a celebration of life at the Forum West building on Feb. 2 to remember Bakersfield College guitar professor Karl Fredrick Haas. 

The 66-year-old lost his battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) at his home on Dec. 22.

Haas began teaching at BC in 1982.

Since then, Haas taught three courses, including two beginning classes, one intermediate class, and one advanced class. His love for teaching could not just be contained within the walls of BC.

Since 1990, he had also been teaching private guitar lessons at Front Porch Music.

It was an emotional day as friends, family, students and faculty members gathered to share memories of Haas.

“He was a wonderful guy. I think a lot of people took lessons to come visit him rather than even play guitar. He was just a likable guy, ” said Front Porch Music owner and longtime friend Artie Niesen.

In addition to playing guitar and trumpet in local bands Soul Research Foundation and San Joaquin Valley Fever, Haas was remarkably passionate about motorcycles.

A video tribute played during the memorial featured Haas on mountain excursions, working on his bikes, and performing wheelies in his neighborhood and even the beach.

“He loved motorcycles. Him and his buddies would go riding just about every other weekend,” added Niesen.

Music department chair Dr. John Gerhold explained Haas’ dedication for teaching up until the point when the guitarist was officially diagnosed with ALS.

“He taught until last spring but was already pretty sick at that time,” he said. “He called me over the summer and let me know his illness was one that could not be cured and we had a chance to say goodbye over the phone.”

Haas’ granddaughter Lily Lauria, among others, performed and dedicated songs in his memory.

During an open forum, many attendees fought back tears as they recounted humorous stories, which quickly replaced tears with high-spirited smiles and laughter.

In a 2010 interview with the Renegade Rip, Haas reminisced on a story on why he loved teaching.

“Guitar class is… well, I’ll tell you that there was a guy who once got a speeding ticket on his way to school, and I asked why. He said that he didn’t want to be late and I said he could’ve been a few minutes late. He responded and said ‘but this is my favorite class.’ ”