Robert Hagen

Robert L. Hagen was born in Crawford, Nebraska Oct. 25, 1924. He was the son of Gilbert E. and Faeth Hagen. After graduating from Crawford High School in 1942, he was drafted into the Army Air Force, serving for three years through WWII. He attended the University of Nebraska, graduating in three years with honors in 1949. In 1948, prior to graduating, he met and married his wife of 63 years, Elna C. Johnson . Later Robert and Elna had two daughters, Kathy and Phyllis. Upon graduation from the University of Nebraska, Robert was hired by the General Electric Company and moved to Schnectady, NY to begin their business training program. He remained with GE for 37 years, transferring to Houston, TX ,and then to Dallas, TX, in 1972. While in Dallas, Elna and Robert were members of the First Presbyterian Church. Robert served as an Elder in the church and worked tirelessly in the area of Community Ministries. He and Elna spend many years working to serve the homeless and poor at the First Presbyterian soup kitchen called the Stew Pot. After retiring from the General Electric Company, Robert went back to school to study horticulture and became a Master Gardener. Gardening was a life time passion and hobby. He was honored by the Texas Master Gardeners as a Master Gardener Emeritus in 2006. Robert and Elna have 2 grand- daughters Mackenzie and Allison Puckett, and 2 step-grand-daughters Holli and Robin Montgomery. In the spring of 2006, Robert and Elna moved to Colorado to be closer to family. He passed away April 13, 2011.