With great sadness, Reinhardt mourns the passing of undergraduate student Matthew Camden Haber. Haber passed away on February 16, 2026, at the age of 21 from an aggressive brain tumor.
Haber was raised in Dacula, Georgia, where he built a life full of curiosity, energy, and heart. Diagnosed in 2015, he endured surgeries and treatment with unwavering determination and strength.
Haber began attending Reinhardt in the Spring of 2024 and joined the football team. The drive he had on the field was the drive he carried in his daily life – pushing to be the best and exceeding everyone’s expectations.
“Matthew didn’t say much, but his strength spoke volumes,” reflected teammate Julian Stevenson (RU-2027). “The weight room saw his grind, the field felt his passion, and we are forever changed by his character.”
Through his intelligence and endless curiosity, Haber loved learning new things and pushing himself to master new skills. He brought passion and focus to everything he did, including playing baseball, soccer, football, unicycling, playing music, working out, performing magic tricks, solving Rubik’s cubes, practicing the yo-yo, playing chess, or enjoying a game of poker.
Haber was thoughtful, driven, and full of life. His advisor, Assistant Professor of Psychology Christopher Robinson, Ph.D., recalled, “Matthew was my student for several semesters, and I was privileged to see his growth. I encouraged him to tell his story so that he could better understand what was going on with his brain and his options for treatment. I told him his paper was some of his best work. I’ll never forget how he said, ‘I think so too.’ He was genuinely proud.’
A viewing will be held on February 24, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 2:00 p.m. at Wages and Sons Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Donations may be made in Matthew Haber’s name to the cancer program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
