In Memory of Joseph Hake

Joseph Charles Hake
Founder and Advisor Emeritus

Joseph Charles Hake was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 21, 1932, and died on August 18, 2016. Joe graduated from St. Francis de Sales grade school and high school in 1950. Immediately after graduation, Joe began working for Terminal Railroad Association as a mail clerk in the St. Louis system rail yards, working daily on a caboose that delivered mail throughout the St. Louis area railroad systems. By 1952 the Korean War had ramped up and Joe was drafted into the army where he was deployed in Salzburg, Austria serving as a U.S. Army Helicopter Corps spotter. It was in Europe that his love for soccer blossomed as he travelled throughout Austria and Germany coaching and playing on U.S. Army soccer teams that competed against local European teams.

Upon his discharge from the service in 1954, Joe returned to St. Louis and his job with Terminal Railroad, began his studies in chemical engineering at Washington University and met his future wife, Mary Patricia (Pat) DePung. On May 21, 1955, Joe married Pat at Resurrection Church in South St. Louis. Joe continued his studies at Washington University on the G.I. Bill while Pat worked as a bank teller with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. In 1957, Joe and Pat adopted their first child, Mary Janice, and Joe continued his studies at Washington University, while working a side job paving tennis courts in the St. Louis area. At this time Pat became a stay-at-home mother, supporting the family in this manner throughout her life.

In 1958 Joe was a co-founder of the Mississippi Valley Helicopter Company where he served as a light aircraft plane and helicopter pilot. By 1964, looking for a more stable career, Joe began working as a regional sales representative for a local GE distributor. His sales techniques consistently set records throughout his four-year career as he offered lighting and flash photography products to local retailers.

Joe and Pat bought their first home on Rambler Drive in the Affton area of St. Louis area within the Seven Holy Founders Parish in 1964. This parish would become an integral part of his family’s life. Joe served in various parish capacities such as a Father’s Club member and leader, a parish council member, and other various roles, notably with financial responsibilities. In 1967 Joe and Pat adopted their second child, Thomas Joseph.

Joe’s love for playing soccer blossomed in the early 1970s as Joe helped coordinate the beginnings of the first Over 30 Soccer League in St. Louis. At that time, he also started coaching the Men’s Kutis Soccer Team and continued providing valuable leadership to the St. Louis soccer scene for nearly 35 years. Joe led teams into the Senior Olympics, was inducted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2008 and attended World Cup Soccer in the 1994 U.S. games and the 1998 French games.

In 1968 Joe sat for the Series 1 investment advisor exam and began his career in the investment field with J. Darpel and Associates working in downtown St. Louis. During this phase of his career Joe and Pat adopted their third child, Cathryn Theresa, in 1969. In 1970 Joe opened his own investment office in downtown St. Louis at 314 North Broadway. Joe began his career as an independent investment advisor with Cornerstone Investments, a subsidiary of Keystone Investments, subsequently becoming Evergreen Investments.

Seeking the flexibility of an independent investment firm, Joe started his own broker/dealer in 1982, opening Joseph Charles Hake and Company, Inc. in his downtown St. Louis location. He moved the firm to 10733 Sunset Office Drive in Sunset Hills, moving the same day as the stock market crash, Black Monday, October 19, 1987.

In 1989, Joe and Pat completed construction of what would be their last home in Sunset Hills and Joe continued his work in the investment business. In 2009, the same year of Pat’s death, Joe retired from the investment field. Joe continued to enjoy his love for soccer, family and investing.