Hagen

Carl Hagen worked for Lowell Schools for his entire career. His career and life, however, were tragically cut short at the age of 49.

Born in Sturgis Michigan in 1920, he attended Michigan State College (now Michigan State University) until he enlisted in the army in 1943. He served for four years, two of those in Europe during World War II. Returning from the army, Hagen completed his Bachelor of Science degree and accepted a job at Lowell Schools teaching vocational agriculture.

Upon settling in Lowell, he occupied an apartment converted from a chicken coop. During his first year with Lowell he hosted a Play Festival conducted by the county department of the Grand Rapids YMCA. Students competed in track and field types of events. In 1947 over 350 students from 31 area one room schools attended, and by 1950 there were over 700 students from 35 participating schools! Hagen worked to get the students onto farms and get first-hand experience. He developed a cleaning protocol so students could clean and disinfect their shoes as they stepped off the buses to protect the farm. His students witnessed farms restoring depleted soil. Naturally, he also filled the shoes as FFA Advisor. After teaching for 12 years, Hagen was given the position of assistant principal and after serving for a year he was promoted to high school principal. He also earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision. Nine years later the school was hiring a new superintendent. The school board had 40 candidates and selected Carl Hagen as the new superintendent. School board president Dr. Robert Reagan called Hagen the ideal person for the job.

Tragically, on November 7th, 1970, Hagen went out to Wabasis Lake to fish. Authorities were called when his rowboat was seen moving with the outboard-equipped engine running, but no one on board. There was no sign of Hagen. Officers discovered Hagen’s name through the registration number on the boat. Eight scuba divers searched for Hagen until dark, but his body wasn’t found until the next day.

There were no eyewitnesses to the accident, but the investigation showed that the throttle on Hagen’s 18-horsepower outboard was wide open. It was theorized that he had been jerked off balance when he started up the motor.

Lowell mourned the loss of the young superintendent of schools who had been a part of the community for 23 years. The funeral was described as the largest in recent history with hundreds of people attending.
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Carl Hagen made his presence known in whatever he did. In the military he ascended the ranks quickly, from private to captain in four years. In his career he went from teacher to superintendent. More importantly, he touched the heart of Lowell. In tribute, students said his knowledge, manner, vision, purpose and dedication could still be felt. Three years later, the dedication of the new Middle School and addition to the high school included an unveiling of a portrait of former superintendent, Carl Hagen. The student tribute said it all. He made his presence known.