Jeffery “Jeff” Alan Hasbrouck, 68, of Capitol Heights, Maryland and McCormick, South Carolina, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, at Augusta University Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. He was surrounded by his wife and children during his last days. Jeff had his wife, Debbie, and daughter, Menda, on each side of him as he took his last breaths. He went in peace after Debbie and Menda laid their hands on him and said, “We know you did the best you could to stay with us, we love you, and you can go home to the Lord now” as he struggled to stay alive. He soon left his earthly body with his last breath and closed his mouth in a smile as he passed.

 

Jeff was born on November 9, 1950, in Washington, DC. He was raised and attended school in the District of Columbia. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America as a child.

 

He was a 100 % Service-Connected Disabled Veteran of the Vietnam War. Jeff enlisted in the United States Army on April 2, 1972. He declined to attend Officer Candidate School and reenlisted on February 2, 1975, as a Non-Commissioned Officer. His primary specialties were Hawk Pulse Radar and X-Ray Biomedical Equipment Repair. During his enlistment, Jeff and his family served overseas and stateside. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Clasp (2 loops) before being Honorably Discharged on February 3, 1979, as a Sergeant.

 

After serving his country, Jeff worked in the private sector for Philip Medical Systems as the Eastern Region Head Engineer specializing in X-ray Repair and Installation. He was medically retired due to the onset of his injuries sustained during his military service. He was a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

 

He was a Trustee of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church in McCormick, SC. Jeff was invited by Rev. Robert J. Haskell (now Pastor Emeritus) to attend Bethany. Soon after Jeff and his family became members. He was also a member of the Temple of Praise in Washington, DC.

 

Jeff loved driving (before and after he became paralyzed – he had a special technique for lifting his leg to drive and brake (which made some people nervous when they noticed) before receiving an adaptive vehicle), feeding and whistling with birds, basketball (whether he was playing or watching his children play), jokes (he never could retell them right), putting “people in the corner,” his wife’s cooking (except for the first pancakes she made him as newlyweds – while trying to swallow them, he said, “Honey, I love you, but I can’t eat this”), all things technology (including his iPhone), country music (to the dismay of his family when he sung it), talking (his favorite form of exercise), and saying, “Hurry up and wait” anytime there was a delay. His favorite teams were Siena College Men’s Basketball, the Oakland Raiders, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the New York Yankees. When his children were younger, he never missed a game, event or performance (and never complained when he was called because they missed their school bus no matter how far he was away when working). To the best of his ability, he attended his adult children’s’ games, graduations, performance, special events, and honors.

 

He was “Dad” to many nieces and nephews and a Mentor to many young boys and men in Capitol Heights, MD since moving into their family home in 1979. Jeff and Debbie enjoyed attending the Chamberlain Family Reunions and the Haskell Family Celebrations as honorary family members.

 

Jeff and Debbie Hasbrouck, parents of Siena College graduate Kenny Hasbrouck, were presented The Bernadine of Siena Medal during a Baccalaureate Mass in May 2009. “The Hasbroucks have been selected for their inspiring commitment to each other and their family and their willingness to share their family's story with the world, which in turn, elevated Siena's reputation in the wider community. The College also considers the Hasbroucks to be exceptional examples of Siena's founding Franciscan values of faith, compassion and service and recognizes their extraordinary pride and support of Siena's student-athletes” (Jeffery and Deborah Hasbrouck to Receive The Bernadine of Siena Medal, Siena News, May 13, 2009). Withstanding honorary degrees, it is the highest honor the College bestows.

 

Jeff is survived by his wife of 46 ½ years, Deborah “Debbie” Ovena (Royal) Hasbrouck of Washington, DC; five children, Jeffery D. “Jeff,” Melinda “Menda,” Chawndra Royal-Mason and husband Michael Mason, Timothy “Tim,” and Kenneth “Kenny” and wife Natascha “Tasha;” a daughter-in-law, Itsue (Toyama) Hasbrouck; his sisters, Linda (Hasbrouck) Bolden and husband Harry “Butch” Bolden, Jr., and Judy Hasbrouck; a sister-in-law, Theresa “Tee” Royal Forth and husband Denis Forth; brothers-in-law, Alonzo “Lonnie” Royal, godson Carlos Royal, Sr., and Sullivan “Sul” Johnson; a granddaughter, United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Shayla Hasbrouck; nieces, goddaughter Marilyn “Jewel” Harkless and Randi Bolden; nephews, Ryan Bolden, III and godson Johnathan Royal; a host of nieces and nephews; a “brother,” Kenneth “Ken/Uncle Kenny” Johnson and wife Bonnie; and many more friends.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theresa Lee (Franklin) Hasbrouck and LeRoy Arthur Hasbrouck, Jr. of Washington, DC; mother-in-law, Ollie Mae (Days) Royal of Washington, DC; sisters-in-law, Marilyn “Lyn” Royal and Joann “Joe” (Royal) Garrison and husband Kenneth “Kenny” Garrison of Washington, DC; and a niece, Iyesha Blyther of Washington, DC.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support funeral costs of celebrating Jeff’s life and legacy in two regions who loved him dearly. Donations may be made online by clicking here or sent to Melinda Hasbrouck, 611 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003. If flowers are ordered, flowers in a pot are preferred. Flowers should be sent to the Funeral Homes. A United States flag will be draped over Jeff’s coffin, so no sprays, please.

 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home, Columbia, SC and D. L. McLaughlin Funeral Home, Washington, DC.

 

Please revisit this site for additional information and opportunities to post pictures and notes to celebrate and memorialize the life and legacy of Jeffery A. Hasbrouck.

 

The family is currently receiving visitors to their home in Maryland beginning Thursday, March 7th and will continue for the time being. Please check with Debbie, Chawndra, or Melinda before coming. If you need the address, please call or text Melinda at 202-538-0006 The home is wheelchair accessible - of course :)

 

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