Obituary of Francois Robert Haeringer

Famed Washington D.C. Area Restaurateur Fran ç ois Haeringer Dies at 91. Fran ç ois Haeringer, 91 of Great Falls, Virginia died June 3, 2010 from complications due to a hip fracture. Fran ç ois Haeringer was born to the late Ernest and Cecil Haeringer on January 6, 1919 in Obernai, in the French province of Alsace. Following the birth of their first son, Haeringer began working at the Three Musketeers on Connecticut Ave. In 1954 he took over the restaurant naming it Chez Fran ç ois. In 1973, Haeringer learned that the Claridge Hotel, Chez Fran ç ois' home, was to be sold. At the age of 56 he followed his dream to build an auberge, a country inn reminiscent of Obernai. The new restaurant L'Auberge Chez Fran ç ois opened in 1976 and featured authentic French decorative art and family heirlooms in its décor. Today the restaurant is much the same as when Haeringer "Papa" first opened it. Haeringer's spirit as well as his meticulously crafted meals infuses every table and every customer. He was a culinary icon in the Washington, D.C. cooking community and helped to set the standard for authentic French food that satisfied your appetite and your soul in a restaurant known for marriage proposals, celebrations of all kinds and family memories. Fran ç ois was the beloved husband of Marie-Antoinette, loving and devoted father of Robert Haeringer of Arlington, VA, Paul Haeringer of Potomac Falls, VA , and Jacques Haeringer of Great Falls, VA, proud grandfather of Gabrielle, Matthew, Madeleine and Marc. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 10 at 11am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1020 Springvale Road, Great Falls, VA. Graveside services will be held on Friday, June 11 at 10am at Arnon Cemetery, Great Falls, VA. Arrangements by Adams-Green Funeral Home, Herndon, VA.