Kansas University lost a great and effective alumnus, friend and supporter Friday with the death of Jordan Haines.

Haines, a native of Sabetha, was a 1949 graduate of KU and a 1957 graduate of the KU School of Law. He enjoyed a highly successful career as a banker in Arizona, Texas and Wichita, but, in all of his areas of activity, he never forgot the university.

Haines seldom did anything halfheartedly. He was traveling full speed all the time, whether it was working to attract new loans or deposits for his bank, doing whatever he could to help his alma mater or helping with some Wichita civic project.

He served as chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents and didn’t pull any punches when expressing his displeasure over the action, or lack of action, by one of the regents or a university’s president or chancellor. He was an avid sports fan and was quick to offer his opinion on the abilities of a coach or the performance of a team, no matter what the sport.

At times, Haines bordered or maybe even surpassed the limits of what many would consider good manners or political correctness. In fact, he bordered on outrageous at times. Even so, his friends, admirers or detractors would listen and have to acknowledge he usually had the facts to back up whatever judgment or opinion he might be expressing.

Haines didn’t hesitate to phone KU chancellors to let them know what he thought about the way they were handling things. Likewise, he didn’t hesitate to tell KU coaches what he thought of their game plans, recruiting or most anything else relative to how they were doing their jobs.

During the highly successful Campaign Kansas fund drive for KU in 1987-92, Haines served as director and did a superb job of overseeing the effort. The original goal for the drive was set at $120 million, but when the campaign ended, it had topped $265 million.

Haines joined a Wichita bank that enjoyed a successful record with well-known and respected bank officials. But Haines took the bank to a higher level in deposits, loans, earnings and community and statewide respect. He was looked to by those in the banking business, local and national, as a leader. He was meticulous in his attention to detail and was a highly effective leader in numerous civic activities.

A friend who served with Haines on a nonbanking board of directors described Haines as an “excellent director, loyal, so accurate, always checking the accuracy of figures which were being presented by officers or other directors.” Then he added with a chuckle, “We all know, however, he could be a pain in the ass in how he questioned everything.”

Haines didn’t limit his opinions or criticisms to chancellors and coaches, but he also was quick to pass along his thoughts to this editor and writer. He read the Journal-World and didn’t hesitate to offer his opinions, in rather colorful language, about editorials or sports stories about KU football or basketball teams, a coach or an athletic director. When answering a phone call from Haines, it was best to make sure a secretary was off the line before saying “hello.”

His fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, was a high priority for Haines, both at KU and at the national level. He also was a close friend of Sen. Bob Dole and was quick to offer advice and assistance to the senator whenever asked.

Haines played a significant role in many KU activities, as an influential banker, as a regent, as a member of the executive committee of the KU Endowment Association and as an interested and concerned Kansan. You never had to wonder what he thought.

The welfare of his bank, the former Bank IV, constantly was on his mind, as was Kansas University and his family. He was unique in many ways and will be missed by many. Wichita, the state of Kansas and Kansas University all are better today because of the interest, devotion and commitment of Haines.