Dwight Hauff, a member of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame and a former chairman of the NSGA, has passed away at the age of 104. He was the founder of Hauff Sporting Goods in Sioux City, IA..
Hauff began selling sporting good for Spalding in 1930 and founded his store, Dwight Hauff Sporting Goods Co. in 1933 in Sioux City. It grew to five locations, including in Omaha and Sioux Falls. In 2005, on its 100th birthday, the Senior Community Service Employment Program recognized him as “Americas Oldest Worker,” an honor that also saw him make an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
Hauff was known for going to work at the Sioux City store every day well past his 100th birthday, and last visited the Sioux City store in early June. He and his son, company president Steve Hauff, are one of just three father-son duos to have served on the NSGA board.
Hauff was born and raised in Merrill, Iowa, where he taught and coached for a couple years. He was a 1926 graduate of Morningside College, where he played basketball and baseball. He also maintained a special interest in the college, especially its annual Siouxland Relays, a regional track event. He invited local coaches and some sportswriters to a Relays party each year.
Hauff also had an early impact on the Yankton Quarterback Club, the longest active such group in South Dakota. Besides being a member, Hauff also used his connections to help bring recognized speakers to Yankton.
His visitation is set for next Thursday July 30th at the Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. His funeral is to be held Friday July 31st at 11 a.m. at Grace Methodist Church. Hauff is survived by his daughter Anne, his son Steve and 4 grandchildren.
