Robert Lester Haught

Robert L. Haught passed away Sunday, October 11, 2025.

He was born May 20, 1930 in Marlow, Oklahoma. His parents were Josie Brandon Haught and Pete Haught, who predeceased him along with two brothers, Leonard Haught and William Laverne Haught, and a sister, Thelma Haught Throckmorton.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary Whiteside Haught and three sons he brought to the marriage, Robert Steven Haught and wife Susan, of Delray Beach, Florida, Gary Wayne Haught, of Oklahoma City and Randall Keith Haught and wife Terry, of North Palm Beach, Florida.

He grew up in Marlow, Oklahoma and had fond memories of playing trombone in the high school band and shining shoes at the barber shop. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, he worked as a UPI correspondent, then served on the staff of two governors. He moved to Washington when the second, Henry Bellmon was elected Senator and served as senior staff member for 12 years.

Returning to journalism, he was selected as the first Washington based editorial writer for The Daily Oklahoman, the state’s largest newspaper. He also originated a humor column, Potomac Junction, a commentary on events and personalities in Washington. The column was published for 18 years. He was a member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.

Expanding his journalism connections, he was active in the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and received their Legacy Award in 2016.

A life-long admirer of Oklahoma humanitarian and humorist Will Rogers, he promoted the Rogers legacy at every opportunity, and entertained groups with his rendition of the Rogers style of common-sense commentary on current events.

In l986, he and Mary retired to a farm in Madison County, Virginia, and he spent the rest of his life in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but he was always proud of his Oklahoma roots.

He served as an Elder in Madison Presbyterian church, volunteered in Madison County Historical Society and Madison County Library, where he was a founder of Friends of the Library.

Friends and family will celebrate his life at Madison Presbyterian Church on October 18, at 1:00. A reception will follow.

The service will be live streamed at the church Facebook page, Madison Presbyterian Church PCACUS.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in his memory to the Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville, a 22911, or Madison Presbyterian Church.