Vern Charles Hagen

Vern C. Hagen, 84, died February 25, 2026, from dementia complications. He was born April 2, 1941, in Anchorage, Alaska, and grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota. He graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, earned a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Iowa, Iowa City IA and then taught at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis TN for two years. In 1968 he moved to Albuquerque for graduate studies at UNM. For several years he taught economics as an adjunct associate professor at UNM.

Over the years Vern worked in a variety of positions relating to the development of Albuquerque, in both the public and private sector. He served as City Planning Director and later as Director of Municipal Development. He also was Executive Director of Albuquerque Center, Inc, which focused on downtown revitalization. He spent part of his career in the private sector, working with Jack Clifford and Company, concentrating on the development of North Albuquerque Acres. Later he formed his own company working as a commercial appraiser, where he remained active until his retirement in 2006.

He served on the board of The Samaritan Counseling Center and was active in AFLEP, which is promoting the establishment of a NM state public bank. He was for a time a member of Faith Lutheran Church. Then later he attended Central United Methodist Church.

In his retirement he loved traveling to visit family and friends as well as enjoying his favorite hobby of walking. He had many years in which he would walk over 2000 miles for the year (of course he kept meticulous records of his daily mileage with his accounting/economics background). He also greatly enjoyed bird watching and photographing nature. Other interests included participating in a book club and in The Scandinavian Club of Albuquerque.

Vern is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vicki Hagen, by his sons Daniel (Tara) of Reno, NV, Matthew (Anne) of Cincinnati, OH, granddaughters Brooke, Laurel, Avery, Charlotte, and August, by his sister Christine Cox (Steve), nephews Jason and Michael, and by many other family members including nieces, nephews, cousins, and half-brothers and sister.

A memorial service celebrating Vern's life will be held at French Funeral Home, 7121 Wyoming NE on Saturday June 13th at 10:00 a.m.