George Hagen

Funeral Information

Home: Napa, CA
Date of Death: December 23, 2011
Place of Birth: Laredo, TEXAS
Birthdate: December 22, 1938
Age: 73

Biography

GEORGE HAGEN
1938-2011

George Hagen, 73, died peacefully at the Queen of the Valley Hospital on Friday, December 23, 2011. He was born in 1938 in Laredo, Texas and grew up in North Dakota.

George was a teacher by nature and training. After serving in the US Army with the 82nd Airborne Division, he earned his undergraduate degree in business from Minot State College and then began his teaching career at Glenburn High School in North Dakota.

He married Patricia McLendon in 1964 and they moved to California. He taught at Mariposa High School in California for several years and then earned a Masters Degree in business from CSU Sacramento. In 1970, George and Pat moved to Napa and George began teaching at Napa Valley College. He later earned his Doctoral Degree and held many leadership and administrative positions at the college until he retired in 1988. In 1987, he was the recipient of the McPherson Distinguished Teacher; and in 1991, he was selected for a national teaching excellence award by the Community College Leadership Program at the University of Texas at Austin.

George loved the mountains and rivers of the west. He was an avid hiker and kayaker, and especially enjoyed sharing these outdoor experiences with his family.

George was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; daughter, Jenna, Santa Cruz; son, Jonathan, Napa; grandson, Olorin, Santa Cruz; and two brothers, Jerome, Kanehohe, Hawaii and Richard, Mission, Texas. he was preceded in death by his mother, Violet Rasmussen Hagen; father, Joseph O. Hagen; and brother, Michael Hagen.

The family will hold a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers. memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Napa Valley College Foundation Scholarship Fund. Memories and words of sympathy may be sent to the family on-line at www.tulocaycemetery.org.


Candles

Valerie Simington-Exum 2012-01-01 03:20:13
I worked with George for many years at Napa Valley College. We would talk about our children. He would talk about the times he took the kids hiking, kayaking, etc. I could tell by the way he talked about you that he loved you (his family) dearly. I learned a great deal from George. I was a student and the worked with him. He always treated people with respect. In the afternoons, he would run from one building to another (to get his exercise) and he would have his carrots and celery in hand. (afternoon snack) Since his retirement, I think of him often and I have missed him. Valerie
John Charlesworth 2012-01-03 18:47:01
I worked with George ever since he came to NVC. He was an extra-ordinary person. Not only an outstanding teacher, and richly deserving of the first Distinguished Teacher Award, but he was an outstanding gentleman. He was greatly liked and highly respected by everyone who knew him. An hard-working leader, yet quiet and avoided the limelight. There are not many like him. He will be missed.
Tad Parker 2012-01-05 19:42:43
I worked with George from 1974 until his retirement. He always met me with a smile and a greeting. He treated everyone as an equal. He had that rare ability to treat everyone as an equal, to always actively listen to other opinions and then actively work on a mutual solution. Very early in my life at the college I learned that George was a person I could turn to for information and support. I shall regret the knowledge that he is no longer a part of a community.