Dr. Haas grew up in Northfield, Minnesota, and was intensely involved in athletics, family and community through high school. That energy changed focus into academics at St. Olaf College and he received a BS Degree in 1976 in Biology. He especially enjoyed integrative learning through a liberal arts education.

While in dental school from 1976 to 1980, Dr. Haas was selected to the Dental Exchange Student Program in Aarhus, Denmark. While studying in Denmark, the seed of oral surgery was planted while working with Dr. Jens Kolsen Pedersen, OMS.  After graduating dental school, he spent an extremely interesting year as a general practice resident at Hennepin County Medical Center. The Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) residency at the University of Minnesota followed, and he completed the program in 1984.