Naturalist, outdoor enthusiast loved to share knowledge and pet reptiles
Robert Habegger was the kind of character that you could only find in a novel. Or Pittsburgh.
Disarming and sweet, “Snakeguy,” as he was known, could invariably be found wearing a big smile and a pet serpent at one of the many community events where he volunteered, or at a local farmers market, where he sold his own blended pepper seasonings, snacks and pretzels.
Before they knew it, seduced newcomers would somehow have Boa Derek, his Brazilian rainbow boa constrictor, draped around their neck and a bag of his unforgivably spicy — and bestselling — reaper pepper seasoning in their pocket.
“He loved people, and people loved him,” said his sister, Lisa Strauss, of North Huntingdon. “His smile would light up a room, and he had this wit about him.”
A naturalist, outdoor enthusiast and reptile owner who could be found most days exploring North Park, cycling through local streets (with his pet snakes along for the ride in a pillowcase), or selling his wares at fairs, markets and festivals throughout the area, Mr. Habegger was always happy to share his wisdom — and his pet reptiles.
“He wanted people to have a positive outlook on snakes,” said his daughter, Tabetha Habegger, of Sunbury, N.C. “His goal was to show them in a positive way and get people to stop being scared. There were so many people who never touched a snake before who held his snakes. They loved getting photos with the snakes and petting them, and the snakes were kind of like his mascots.”
Mr. Habegger, of Shaler, died Nov. 23 of complications from a suspected embolism. He was 60.
He grew up in Sharpsburg, among a menagerie of pets, includng hamsters, guinea pigs and dogs. He was first introduced to reptiles
by a cousin who kept pet snakes, his sister said.
“He loved playing with the snakes and wrapping them around his head,” Ms. Strauss recalled.
After graduating from Fox Chapel High School in 1977, Mr. Habegger spent most of his career as an IT professional, until 2017, when he started Just Right Spice, a hobby that spawned a full-time business.
“It all started with his own little garden, then it just blew up,” his daughter said. “Everyone liked what he was making. He made seasonings and snacks with different kinds of peppers, like ghost, Carolina Reaper and habanero. He also grew tomatoes and other produce, but the pepper section was very big.”
Just about everywhere he went, Mr. Habegger brought along one or more of his three snakes, including Boa Derek and a mating pair of albino pine snakes named Popeye and Opal.
His pets have been adopted by Sara Smith, who will care for them at her shop, Sara’s Pets and Plants, 908 Main Street, Sharpsburg.
“If anyone wants to visit them, that’s where they’ll be,” Ms. Habegger said.
Sharpsburg will feel the loss of Mr. Habegger most acutely, said Mayor Matthew Rudzki, who called him “a devoted advocate.”
“Snakeguy adopted James Sharp Landing through Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, built, installed, and emptied filament receptacles at the landing to protect our waterways and wildlife, played a pivotal role in organizing our cleanup days from his annual event with Allegheny CleanWays at the landing to the Etna-Sharpsburg Earth Day Challenge that resulted in 300+ residents and allies turning out to clean Sharpsburg and the Borough of Etna,” Mr. Rudzki wrote in a Facebook tribute.
Mr. Habegger built similar receptacles, designed to safely dispose of fishing line, at piers in North Park and elsewhere, his family said.
“We found a bunch of the stuff he used to make them. He built them all by hand,” Ms. Habegger said. “We’re finding out more and more every day about things we never knew about.”
“He always had a special connection with Sharpsburg,” his sister added.
Mr. Habegger was a founding member of the Sharpsburg Environmental Advisory Council. He also volunteered with other organizations, including Bike Pittsburgh, Venture Outdoors and Friends of North Park.
His efforts will be recognized at the Earth Day Challenge, in which the communities compete in collecting trash for the annual Mayor’s Cup title, Mr. Rudzki said.
“The Mayor’s Cup will be rechristened as the Robert ‘Snakeguy’ Habegger Cup as a gesture of our immense appreciation,” he said.
Growing up, her father took her hiking in the woods and shared his love of the outdoors with her, Ms. Habegger said.
“He taught me all about nature,” she said. “And I think he wanted to do something to help his community and the environment.”
“He showed up everywhere, for everyone, in so many ways, and he showed up meaningfully,” said Sharpsburg Borough Council President Brittany Reno. “He had friends in every room he entered and on every street he strolled. The only thing more fiery than his pretzels was his passion for the natural world. ‘Snakeguy’ was a legend, brimming with love and humor and passion. To lose him is a huge pain, and to have known him an honor and memory I will cherish for a lifetime.”
Her sentiments were shared by others, including Scott Smith, owner of East End Brewing.
“At first, I wasn’t really comfortable calling him Snakeguy, but before very long, it became clear to me that he absolutely loved being Snakeguy — the guy with the snake at just about any event he attended,” Mr. Smith said. “He loved watching people’s reactions to whatever snake he had in tow ... their curiosity, childlike amazement and, for some, complete horror. But he was always super kind and considerate about it.”
“Pittsburgh is left a bit less kind with his passing, a bit colder and, unfortunately, a bit less spicy,” he said. “And we’re all a little saddertoo.”
Along with his sister and his daughter, Mr. Habegger is survived by his brother, Donald,of Findlay, Ohio.
Per his request, there will be no viewing or funeral, though a celebration of life is plannedfor the future.