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Plane crash victims were well-known

Tom Hausfeld served on Alter’s board of trustees; daughter was on Flyers volleyball team.

Contributed photo A Hausfeld family photo posted on Tom Hausfeld's Facebook page. (From left) Lori, Kacie, Ali and Tom.

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By Anthony Gottschlich, Staff Writer Updated 12:43 AM Friday, April 2, 2010

When Alter High School volleyball coach Tina Jasinowski left her Springboro home to go on a bike ride Thursday afternoon, April 1, she chose an alternate route because she heard fire engines just outside her development.

Little did she know those engines were heading to the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport to respond to single-engine plane crash that killed two people she knew well, pilot Tom Hausfeld of Springboro and his daughter Kacie, 21, a former standout on the Knights’ volleyball squad.

A little more than two hours later, Jasinowski got a call from Kelly Sheffield, Kacie’s volleyball coach at the University of Dayton.

“I said, ‘I don’t believe you, it can’t be true, it can’t be right,’” Jasinowski recalled. “I still can’t believe it. It is beyond a tragedy.”

Many felt the same way Thursday. Of Tom Hausfeld, friends and associates remembered a generous soul with an engaging personality who gave to numerous organizations and charities. A successful businessman, he retired in 2006 after selling his company, Auto Disposal Systems Inc. of Dayton.

“People were drawn to him,” said Andrea Borchers of Miami Twp., whose daughters played volleyball with Kacie Hausfeld and her older sister, Ali. “Anytime he had something to say, people would listen. He was always paying attention to how he could help somebody.”

Hausfeld served on Alter’s board of trustees and was a past president of the boosters club. Alter Principal Nicki Brainard called him “an invaluable source.”

“He’s the most honest guy there is. He would tell you like he saw it,” Brainard said. “He’s one who would listen, and you knew he was listening to give us the very best advice he could give us.”

Alter Athletic Director Chris Hart called the Hausfelds’ deaths “devastating to the Alter and UD community.”

“Kacie was extremely driven as a student and an athlete,” he said.

Family friend Mary DeMange, whose daughter Carrie played volleyball with Ali at both Alter and Duke University, said Tom and Kacie “were alike in so many ways, always there for anyone in need.”

“He was always volunteering for the community and loved to ref basketball, constantly brushing up on the rules, so he could be the best ref possible,” DeMange said. “For awhile he drove race cars, and loved the thrill of being on the racetrack. After taking a break from that to be there for his daughters’ passions, flying became his passion.”

Sheffield, the UD coach, called his players as well as alumni and former coaches Thursday to share the news.

“Obviously we are all in shock right now,” he said. “Kacie’s kind-heartedness, sense of humor and can-do approach was one of a kind. We will always love her with all of our hearts. We lost two genuinely special people today and we are all hurting. All of us who know them will try our best to stick together through this.”

Jasinowski, who coached both Kacie and Ali, noted there was a Hausfeld in the Alter volleyball program for seven consecutive years, including the championship years of 2002, 2003 and 2006.

“Alter volleyball has never won a state championship without a Hausfeld and the next one we win is for Kacie,” she said.

Staff writers , Mark Gokavi, Debbie Juniewicz and Marc Pendleton contributed to this story.

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