Kurt Brian Hagen

Kurt Brian Hagen, 92, of Grove, Oklahoma passed away peacefully and surrounded by family at his home on Monday, December 22.

Kurt was born in August 1933 in Neenah, Wisconsin, to Oscar E. Hagen and Frances Hagen, née McNulty.

Kurt graduated from Neenah High School in 1951 and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Colorado. He later earned a Master’s in Geology from the University of Tulsa.

While in college, Kurt joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC). He served two years during the Korean Conflict and wanted to continue. However, the military cut NROTC by 50 percent as the war drew to a close. Two years after Kurt was dropped by NROTC, he received notice he was about to be drafted. At this point, he had already begun a career as a geologist. To preserve his options, Kurt joined the

U.S. Army’s Critical Skills Program. He served for six months at Fort Leonardwood and the Presidio. Then the Army asked him to return to his previous job and use his critical skills as a geologist to look for oil while being part of the Standby Reserves for the next eight years. Kurt was honorably discharged.

Kurt married Eleanor Hagen (née Herzer) on June 07, 1956 in Boulder, CO. Kurt and Ellie had two boys, Stuart Hagen and Brian Hagen. They were married until a tragic car accident ended Ellie’s life in 1973.

Kurt married Patricia Hagen (née Blundell) on November 17, 1978 in Bartlesville, OK. The marriage added two more children to Kurt’s life, Sherri Snow and Michael Snow. Kurt and Patsy were married for 47 years.

Kurt rejoined Phillips Petroleum Company after being discharged from the Army. His job took the family to Grand Junction, CO, Applewood, CO, and Bartlesville, OK. Kurt dedicated over 30 years of his life to Phillips. During his career, Kurt travelled to six continents. Alaska, Egypt, Morocco, Australia, Venezuela, and Indonesia were highpoints in those expeditions. With his employees, Kurt also pioneered the use of satellite imagery to find oil. He took early retirement to protect his employees during the oil glut of the mid-1980s. After his retirement, Kurt worked for 7 years for Service and Technology Corporation. He never

forgot his friends and colleagues at Philip Petroleum and was thrilled to watch his mentees climb the corporate ladder.

While living in Bartlesville, Kurt was a deacon at First Presbyterian Church and served as the volunteer director of CONCERN, Inc., a charity providing daycare and food assistance. He also competed on the Phillips sport fencing team in both épée and foil. He won many matches in fencing tournaments throughout Oklahoma and surrounding states.

Kurt said his greatest achievement was raising four children through: camping and boating; fossil hunting; cheering at baseball, softball, and soccer games; and giving sage advice. His proudest moment was when he used anti-venom to save an indigenous man’s life while traveling for work in Belize (then British Honduras) in the 1960s.

Kurt taught his children to love life on the water; power boating, water skiing, and especially sailing. He excelled at sailing and ice sailing as a teenager, and he competed in these activities alongside his sister Joan. After retiring, Kurt won many races on his sailboat. He was an active member and officer of the Grand Lake Sailing Club. Kurt also taught fencing, served as a poll worker and census taker, learned wood turning and oil painting, and helped found Grove’s chapter of the Sea Scouts

Kurt is survived by his wife, Patsy; his sons, Stuart, Brian, and Michael; his daughter, Sherri; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

If you were to meet Kurt, he would probably offer you a bourbon with ginger ale, spray cheese, and crackers. Afterwards, he would invite you to join him for a sail.

Kurt’s family plans to hold a celebration of life for him this coming Spring.