Viewing page 15 of 21

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

That season he stopped flying exhibitions due to the usual necessity of having to fly from hazardous and extremely small race track fields to fulfill these engagements. Haupt apparently gave up flying that fall and returned to automobile racing. For a time, he raced for Louis Bergdoll and Fred Dusenberg, and drove at Indianapolis, Minneapolis and St. Paul, and Sheepshead Bay, Long Island.

During World War I Haupt was with Dusenberg Motors of Elizabeth, New Jersey, on the development and manufacture of Dusenberg and King-Bugatti aircraft engines. After giving up race driving he was associated with the Philadelphia Branch of General Motors as an ignition specialist for some time. During World War II he was with the Navy on electrical work, where he remained for sixteen years.

Mr. Haupt passed away on April 20, 1966, following a stroke, at age 81. He was survived by his wife. Although he had maintained a city residence at Elkins Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for many years he also enjoyed a shore home at Cape May, New Jersey, where he spent many happy days in retirement. Haupt did not obtain a pilot license during his flying career.

Early Bird and Flying Pioneer, William Haupt was associated with aviation at a very early date and was self-taught on an early French Bleriot monoplane. While his flying activities were not extensive his name rightfully belongs among those early aviation enthusiasts who had the courage to try man's newly found ability to fly. With his keen knowledge of engines and mechanics he was able to do considerable flying without accidents and helped to popularize the sport in its infancy.