Obituary - Gerald F. Hagedorn

Gerald F. (Gerry) Hagedorn

Gerald F. (Gerry) Hagedorn, a lifelong Moscow resident, died Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 at Good Samaritan Society - Moscow Village. He was 88.

Gerry was born April 8, 1923, at Moscow, the second son born to Fred and Elizabeth Scheyer Hagedorn. He grew up and went to school in Moscow, graduating from Moscow High School in 1941. He attended the University of Idaho, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and following his discharge, returned to the U of I, working toward a degree in architecture.

Gerry and Margaret V. Finch were married in Boise June 12, 1946. Their daughter was born a year later. In 1948, Gerry left the U of I to take over the family farm. Soon afterward, he sought guidance from the conservation district and extension services and began raising cattle. Using his architectural talents, Gerry also designed and built their house on the farm. With guidance from other area cattlemen, his cattle business became nationally recognized and he was elected to serve on the board of directors of the National Polled Hereford Association. In the 1970s, he bought additional ranch land near Avon and Kendrick and expanded to include commercial cattle.

Margaret died in January of 1983. Later he became reacquainted with a former high school classmate, Margaret Stillinger Barber, and they were married in November of 1985. He retired from the farming and cattle business, sold the ranches and leased the farmland. He and Margy traveled extensively and in 2000 moved into a Good Samaritan home. She died later that year.

Gerry's lifelong love of sports began as a boy. He was active in high school sports and set several records in high school field events. In later years, Gerry devoted a lot of time to U of I track and field, watching practice, befriending athletes and coaches, attending meets, and giving his financial support. He was honored in 2010 by being inducted into the University of Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame for his lifetime support of Vandal athletics.

Gerry also had a love for music, including participation in youth choirs, The Vandaleers, Moscow Methodist Church Choir and working with community concerts. He was an avid fly fisherman most of his life and enjoyed sharing his love of fishing with his grandsons.

Survivors include his daughter; three grandsons; along with nine great-grandchildren. In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by his brother, Donald, and a son, Jeffrey.

Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Thursday at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow. A private graveside service will be Friday at the Moscow Cemetery. A memorial service is being planned at 2 p.m. March 13 at the First United Methodist Church in Moscow.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Gerry Hagedorn Athletic Scholarship Fund, c/o Idaho Foundation, P.O. Box 3143, Moscow, ID 83844-3143.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.com.

Lewiston Tribune, February 29, 2012, p. 5C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock