Walter A. Haas, Sr., was a former president of Levi Strauss & Co. and a member of one of the Bay Area’s founding families. Born in San Francisco in 1889, Haas attended the University of California, Berkeley, for his undergraduate years, and following his service in World War I, he began his long standing career at Levi Strauss & Co. As a businessman, Haas served as the president of San Francisco’s Chamber of Commerce and Recreation and Park Commission, in addition to maintaining a connection to the University of California and the local community. He was involved in several community service organizations around the Bay Area, including the Jewish Welfare Federation, Mt. Zion Hospital, Save the Redwoods League, and the World Affairs Council. In this interview, Haas discusses his first start in business, his interest in local and state politics, and his continued engagement with the San Francisco community. This interview is part of a group of interviews documenting Jewish communities in California.