Harold Hagen, CSU prof who helped launch salmon industry in Chile, has died

Harold Kolstoe Hagen, 89, of Fort Collins, died Jan. 29, 2014, at Poudre Valley Hospital.

He was born Nov. 18, 1924, to Gudor and Severine Hagen. During World War II, he served as a sergeant with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy. When he returned from the war, he earned a BS degree from the University of Wyoming, worked for the Wyoming Division of Wildlife and spent a summer with the Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska. He returned to the University of Washington and earned a doctorate in fisheries science. After spending a year working as a fish biologist in South Dakota, he accepted a position as a professor at Colorado State University. For 17 summers, he worked as a biologist and naturalist for the National Park Service.

Hagen spent time working with the Peace Corps setting up fish projects in Guatemala and Peru. He worked in Jamaica, Mexico and Ecuador establishing fish growing facilities. In Chile, he was instrumental in starting the salmon industry under grants from the World Bank.

He lived on his fish farm with his wife, Mary Catherine Hirsig Hagen, who remains on the farm. They had one son, Harold (Hal) Hagen who died in 2013. He is survived by his granddaughter, Catherine Hagen Gibson (Mathew) and grandson, Taylor Hagen.

Harold enjoyed skiing and fishing with his family; he was a member of the 10th Mountain Division Association, American Fisheries Society, and Fish Farmers of America and several honorary associations.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Joseph Indian School, Chamberlain, South Dakota, or Elder Pet Care in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.