February 21, 1936 - May 19, 2014. Born in New Hampton, Iowa to parents Harold and Vera Hauser. Beloved husband of Diane Hauser, loving father of Greg Hauser and Michele Yellitz. Father-in-law of Nancy Hauser and Brad Yellitz. Grandfather of Caitlin, Mitch and Matt Hauser and Megan, Ellie and Ryan Yellitz. Brother of Larry Hauser and brother-in-law of David De Costa. Following graduation from New Hampton High School in 1954, Merle served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard at the end of the Korean War. After his honorable discharge he entered the University of Iowa earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Upon graduation in 1962 he moved to San Francisco, CA where he entered the Human Resources field and met his wife of 50 years, Diane. Merle earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco in 1977. Merle’s experience in Human Resources included employment with the State of California, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, the City of Concord and Contra Costa County Office of Education where he served as Director of Human Resources and retired after fifteen years of service. Merle also served as an Adjunct Professor at John F. Kennedy University at the Orinda and Pleasant Hill campuses for over twenty years. He was awarded the 1999 Faculty Distinguished Service Award by the University as well as receiving a Certificate of Recognition as the Faculty Honoree from the 15th Assembly District of the California State Legislature. Merle was a lifelong Rotarian serving as President of the Pleasant Hill Rotary Club from 1993 - 1994 and was also a member of the Rocklin, Loomis Basin Rotary Club. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and a Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member. He served in leadership roles in various other professional organizations. Through all this, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Merle and Diane moved to Sun City Lincoln Hills in 2003. Merle was a lifelong catholic committed to his faith and Church community. Family and friends are invited to attend Funeral services Wednesday, May 28 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 4450 Granite Drive, Rocklin, CA. Entombment, Calvary Mausoleum, Sacramento, CA. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Merle’s memory to the Rocklin Loomis Basin Rotary Club, P.O. Box 666, Rocklin, CA 95677 or Saint Peter and Paul Scholarship Fund, 4450 Granite Drive, Rocklin, CA 95677. Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley (916) 797-1448