Craig Michael Hauser

Craig Hauser lived a remarkable life defined by intelligence, curiosity, kindness, humor, and deep devotion to the people he loved. He passed away on March 2, 2026, at the age of 57, surrounded by his adoring family.

He leaves behind Monica, his beloved wife of 30 years, and their three children, Alicia, Tessa, and Joshua. Craig also leaves his grieving mother, Patricia; his sisters, Holly Pixler (Jay), Heather Prins (Stuart), and Macaria Johnson (Andy); and eight loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Michael Lee. On his wife’s side of the family, he is mourned by his mother- and father-in-law, Beth and Joseph Arcarese; brothers-in-law Jay Arcarese (Rebecca) and Christopher Arcarese (Corina); sister-in-law Maureen Mills (Matt); 13 nieces and nephews; and three grandnieces. 

Far from being a distant relative, Craig was adored by this large family as their beloved Uncle Craig.

Craig grew up and graduated high school in Monument, Colorado, earned his B.S. degree from Tulane University on a saxophone scholarship before joining the U.S. Air Force and earned his M.D. from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. This is also where his love story with Monica began. They married in 1995 and moved to Travis Air Force Base in California, where he completed his residency and became a radiologist.

As an attending physician, they moved to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, where their two beautiful daughters were born, and later to Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, where their precious son arrived. Each move was an opportunity to serve his country, make lifelong friends, and create new adventures together.

After separating from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, Craig joined a private radiology practice that brought the family back to Maryland. Later in his career, he pursued a fellowship at the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and founded a private clinical practice, Hauser Health, where he was able to build meaningful relationships with patients and practice medicine in the holistic way he believed in. Just six months before his illness, he accepted a dream position as Chief of Diagnostics at the Martinsburg Veterans Administration Medical Center, combining all of his skills to serve fellow veterans. In his short time there, he made a lasting impact.

Craig approached life with the mindset that no challenge was too difficult to learn and that curiosity and growth were always possible. A true Renaissance man, his intense curiosity and laser-like focus made him a master of many hobbies. Among his many passions were breeding beautiful saltwater fish and growing coral to help repopulate reefs, remodeling his home, throwing pottery, raising chickens, gardening, practicing karate with Joshua, playing all kinds of music, crafting intricate woodworking projects, and rebuilding cars. Friends and family were continually fascinated and entertained at what Craig could teach himself to do.

Yet Craig’s greatest joy was his family. He and Monica shared a beautiful marriage and were best friends. He was everyone’s personal on-call doctor, mechanic, handy man and trusted source of life advice. He loved a good Dad joke. He enjoyed answering texts from his family, helping troubleshoot life’s challenges, and cheering them on with pride from the sidelines.

In June 2025, Craig was diagnosed with a rare pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. He faced his illness with extraordinary courage, never complaining about all the awful treatments, with Monica by his side advocating as his partner in care and life. Though his illness limited his ability to travel or do much beyond quiet days at home, Craig continued to find gratitude in each day - watching sunrises and sunsets, holding Monica’s hand, walking his sweet dogs and petting his cat, watching his children grow into remarkable adults, and remembering that every day we’re here is truly a gift. 

Craig’s life was defined not only by his brilliance and endless curiosity, but by the way he loved his family. His greatest joy was building an amazing life with Monica and sharing pride in their children’s strength, compassion and independence. He also cherished the family and friends who filled his life with laughter and meaning. Though his absence leaves an immeasurable space, the love he gave will never fade. It lives on in every lesson he taught, every life he touched, and in the hearts of those who will love him forever.

All who loved Craig are welcome join us in A Celebration of Life:

Saturday, March 14, 2026 Visitation 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Celebration of Life 12:00pm - 1:00pm Stauffer Funeral Home-Frederick 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702

In lieu of flowers, to honor Craig’s life and legacy, please con sider a donation in his name to two causes close to his heart:

Minkahz NET Mission

Your donation will support patients with neuroendocrine cancer (like Craig) and their caregivers, and fund critical research and clinical trials in the hope of finding a cure.

https://www.netsmission.org/donate

Nektarios Foundation

Your donation will help empower young adults with disabilities to live meaningful, independent lives.

https://nektariosfoundation.org/support-us