George Hagedorn

On New Year’s Day, January 1, 2022, George L. Hagedorn passed away unexpectedly and much too soon, at 77 years of age.  He enjoyed many years as a long-time resident of Los Alamos County, New Mexico, and always treasured memories of his formative years spent in Ohio.

In 1944, George was born in Cincinnati, the oldest child of George W. and Elizabeth Hagedorn.  His father was a World War II veteran, having served as a First Lieutenant in New Guinea, while loving his young family from afar.  George was fortunate to have aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Cincinnati area. Throughout his childhood, he enjoyed many unforgettable trips and boyhood adventures with his cousin and pal, Stanley and Stan’s parents.

As a young boy, George’s family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended St. Angela Merici Elementary School through the 8th grade and graduated from St. Edward High School, Class of ’62.  George was pleased to see that his alma mater had won another OHSAA Division 1 State Tournament Champions football title in 2021.

During his boyhood in Cleveland, George was very active doing a series of jobs, including his neighborhood paper route, grocery store shelf stocker, house painter, and, a bit later, aluminum foundry worker.  In the summer he enjoyed days spent at the Cleveland Yacht Club swimming with friends and learning to sail small boats on Lake Erie.  George made many friends during this time of life and felt very fortunate that a number of those highly valued friendships lasted a lifetime.

After high school, George attended The Ohio State University at Columbus, where, while pursuing his degree, he was accepted into the Buckeye football program.  Ultimately, after an arm injury, he decided to concentrate his energy on his studies. But, however brief, his Buckeye football experience was exciting, uniquely memorable, and much treasured throughout his life.

Following graduation, and with his production management degree in hand, George worked at McDonnell Douglas before attending Basic Training, Army Intelligence school, and heading to Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region to serve with the U.S. 9th Infantry Division.  Shortly after returning to the United States in 1969, George married his first wife, Sheila, and worked in machine sales before the young couple moved to Sydney, Australia. George continued his sales work and they lived, worked, and traveled for several years, having numerous adventures while exploring a fascinating continent.  Returning to the U.S. three years later, they took the long way home, continuing their journey of discovery through many countries along the way.

Over the next decade, at home again in Ohio, George led an active life that included, among other things, his work at a General Dynamics tank plant, purchase of a small farm, as well as embracing family life, and his new role of fatherhood.

 In 1986, seeking additional professional opportunities and desiring to move closer to family who had moved out West, George accepted a position with Los Alamos National Laboratory.  He was impressed by the Lab’s reputation for excellence, the high-altitude climate, and the beautiful vistas.

George continued an active lifestyle supporting his children’s school and athletic activities, exploring the West and its national parks on many family trailer trip adventures, skiing, playing in racquetball and softball leagues and tournaments, and taking trips to the Jemez Mountains to cut wood and find Christmas trees.

In 1998, George married his second wife, Cynthia, and they enjoyed many hiking and fishing trips in the mountains of Northern New Mexico and Colorado.

George retired from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2008, and, ever the life-long learner, joined the Investment and Computer Clubs at the LA Senior Center, took up bicycling, and learned to play pickleball in addition to continuing many of his previous activities. He was fascinated with all things mechanical and motorized and embraced his love of car culture, traveling to classic car shows, swap meets, and the drag races at Bandimere Speedway.  An important aspect of all his activities was the satisfaction he derived from learning new things, sharing information and experiences, assisting his peers with various projects, and engaging with old friends and new.

In 2019, George, again, proudly joined the ranks of Los Alamos National Laboratory employees. As he had throughout his life, he wanted to contribute and to serve.  He was courageous, loyal, steadfast, and was loved.

George was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Bill.  He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Cynthia Parsons; his children, Karen and Kenneth; step-children, Cameron and Allison; his three sisters, Adele, Mary, and Jean; and grandchildren.

George’s final resting place will be the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Burial of his cremains will be scheduled at a later date. Please visit Rivera Family Funeral Home for a future announcement of burial arrangements.

For those wishing to do so, Remembrances in George’s name may be made to the following (please place George’s name on the memo line) or a charity of one’s choice:

The Ohio State University Foundation Fund for Scholarships

     The OSU Foundation, PO Box 710811, Columbus, OH   43271

 St. Edward High School

     13500 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, OH   44107

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Christian Concern Committee

      The Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church

     3700 Canyon Rd., Los Alamos, NM   87544