George Richard Hagan

George Richard (Rich) Hagan Born in 1924 in Hannibal, Missouri to George & Hazel Hagan, Rich passed away April 14, 2014, of natural causes in Bozeman, Montana where he had lived for the past four years. Previously, Rich resided with his late (August, 2012) wife, Milly (Barnes) Hagan in Loveland, Colorado where, together, they built their own home. Rich grew up in Mexico, Missouri where his Mexico High School track record was broken only recently. He and Milly met at twelve years of age. They married in 1945 when he left his studies at the University of Missouri to join the US Navy. He served as a radio operator on the USS California in the Pacific during WWII. Following the war, he returned to Denver University in Colorado to finish his degree. Throughout his 35-year career he worked as a civil engineer for the US Bureau of Reclamation on water projects in six western states. He retired in 1980. Loveland Meals on Wheels had no better friend than Rich Hagan! He was a 30-year volunteer who delivered meals in his dilapidated red Toyota pick-up. He shared his love of fly-fishing, camping, hunting, hiking, and road trips with his family and friends. Fishing trips on the Yellowstone, Tongue, Madison, Missouri, Snake, Colorado, and Gunnison rivers provide salty memories treasured by all. When no one else was able to land a trout, Rich could. His casting prowess, ability to read water, and luck were legendary! In all ways, Rich was the epitome of the “Greatest Generation.” All who walked his path will miss his generous, sweet, and genuine fun-loving spirit. He is survived by his elder brother, Sydney Hagan, his children, Cindy Owings (husband Graham McIlwaine) and Richard Hagan (wife Noelle Hagan) four grand children, Maya Owings (Tim Ranahan), Nicholas Hagan, Celia Hagan, Ian Hagan and great-grand son, Otis Ranahan, sister-in-law, Carol Harfert and brother-in-law, Allen McGlone plus nine nieces and nephews. Our family thanks all those at Bear Creek Respite who cared for our father and his special friend Edith, who made his final years a joy. A graveside service will be held in Loveland, Colorado at a future date.