Search by Name
Search by Name
Add a Memory
Make a Donation
Richard Hagemeyer Sr. came to the Carolinas from the Midwest in the early 1960s to merge two schools into Charlotte's first community college.
Hagemeyer served as president of that school, Central Piedmont Community College, for 23 years and watched it grow into one of the nation's largest two-year schools.
Hagemeyer, lauded as one of the key figures in the integration of education in the Carolinas, died Wednesday at the age of 95.
He had been an administrator at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Mich., and came South to become the first president of CPCC when it was founded in 1963.
CPCC was a merger of Mecklenburg College, a mostly black school that was founded in 1949 as Carver College, for African American veterans of World War II; and Central Industrial Education Center, a mostly white technical school. The merger came at a time when racial integration was causing a social upheaval in the South -- and it occurred a few years before Mecklenburg County's public schools were integrated.
"I was too dumb or naive to understand the explosiveness of the whole thing," Hagemeyer said in a 1995 book, "Miracle on Elizabeth Avenue," written by Carol Timblin.
There were difficult days for the school in the mid 1960s, but by the time Hagemeyer retired in 1986, succeeded by Ruth Shaw, CPCC was a model of community colleges across the nation.
With about 20,000 students, according to recently published statistics, and campuses across Mecklenburg County, CPCC is among the 25 largest community colleges in the country.
Hagemeyer said in Timblin's book that he wanted a school that was inclusive to future four-year college students, plus those seeking technical training and people in need of literacy classes.
"We will have an open-door policy," he said of his original goal for the school, "but we will have quality education."
Hagemeyer was an active member at Myers Park Baptist Church and with the Rotary Club of Charlotte. He was president of the Rotary in 1991-92, joining a list of people that serves as a who's who of area leaders.
Hagemeyer received an honorary doctorate in 1987 from UNC Charlotte.
He also was honored in a number of ways by CPCC, including the Richard H. Hagemeyer Education Award, presented annually to a current or former CPCC student who shows outstanding leadership.
Funeral services for Hagemeyer are scheduled for 1 p.m. next Thursday at Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Road.
Written by Observer reporter Steve Lyttle
58 Entries
Dick and Linda, We just learned of Dick's fathers death and wanted to express our sympathy to you. We cherish our memories of getting to know you on the Nile River and seeing you at Myers Park from time to time. We know you were so proud of Dick, Sr. May your thoughts and memories stay with you as you share your faith with others.
Blessings to you,
Tom & LaVon Sigmon
Tom & LaVon Sigmon
March 6, 2013
My first full-time job was at Central Piedmont where I provided back up support for the Office of the President. I always admired Dr. Hagemeyer and his work at CPCC. Praying that your memories and God's love will bring you comfort now and in the future.
Bonita Hemphill
March 1, 2013
To the family of Mr. Richard Hagemeyer Sr.: I am extremely sorry for your lost. I myself have gone through a death in the family and I can definitely say it is not an easy thing. What gave me comfort though was revalation chapter 22 where it talks about a time when there will be no sickness or death or any pain and we will be able to see our loved ones again. I hope this will be of some comfort to you all during this hard and difficult time.
D'Andre Washington
January 30, 2013
I am very sorry.
January 20, 2013
The loss of a loved one is always devastating, and although I Do not know you I am still sorrowed by your loss. Unfortunately, we are all faced with the loss of a family member or someone we know.
January 18, 2013
My family and I offer our deepest sympathies.
Krista Young
January 9, 2013
Jinny: John and I have been out of town for the holidays and just returned Sunday to learn of Dick's death. We wanted you to know that we are so sorry to hear of your loss and that we were unable to attend the funeral. Dad does not know of Dick's passing. I am having lunch with him today and will tell him. Love Susan Schatz McClave
Susan McClave
January 7, 2013
Jinny, I share in your pain in the absent of Dr. Hagemeyer. Know that if there is any thing that I can do for you in the future please let me know.
Willie Artis
January 3, 2013
Dr. Hagemeyer was a role model to many of us. As a student and as an employee at CPCC, I admired him and always aspired to be a little like him at some point. I am so honored to have spent time with him and I am glad I was able to help in creating the history album for him and the family.
My prayers are with all of you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Maha Gingrich
January 2, 2013
Dick, Our prayers are with you, Linda and your entire family.
Randy and Cille Richardson, SMHS '65
January 1, 2013
Dick and Linda,
Our deepest sympathies are with you all at this time. I know he will be missed greatly by you all and the grand children. May God give you peace and blessings at this difficult time.
Harold and Joy Mull
January 1, 2013
Jinny, You and Dick have been a valued friend and neighbor to my parents for so many years. I am so sorry to hear of our loss. Sincerely, Ann & Fred Lekson's daughter- Mary K Hudome and Family
Mary K Hudome
January 1, 2013
Dear Dick & Linda, we never ceased to thank God for having crossed our pathways with Dr. Richard Hagemeyer & Janet. The key to the most successful English as a Second Language Program was in the hands of him, as President of CPCC. Soon that Program was the third largest in the USA. Through CPCC and with the President's support we also became a success story in the City, State and the USA!
May God comfort all of us!
Zilda & William DePaula
December 31, 2012
Dear Jinny,
I remember fondly the years shortly after Dick's retirement. He was so generous with advice and wise with insight - a great help to me at that early staqe of my career in higher education. But it's most warmly that I remember those early years of the Charlotte Hornets. Our season tickets were side by side so we got to know you and the family as we cheered on Dell, Mugsy, Larry, etc. When he wasn't at a game I knew he was traveling to some exotic place - like those in this wonderful slideshow - and I anxiously awaited the next game to hear all about it. Dick was a great yet gentle man; a true visionary yet a humble leader. We are all diminished by his loss - but better for having had him among us.
With warmest regards and deepest sympathy,
Ellen & Bob Sheppard
December 31, 2012
Dear Jinny:
Wishing you time's peace and love's memories.
Love & Prayers,
Bill and Jacqui Claypool
December 30, 2012
Jinny, May the Holy Spirit provide comfort to you and your family during this time of loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if you need anything.
Debra Parkins
December 30, 2012
Linda and Dick, We were sorry to hear about Dr. Hagemeyer's death. I know you will miss him very much and we will continue to think of you during this time. Sincerely, Phyllis and Bob
Bob & Phyllis Edwards
December 30, 2012
AS A STUDENT AT CPCC MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE HAGEMEYER FAMILY.GOD BLESS YOU ALL.C.MOORE CHARLOTTE
December 30, 2012
Jinny, my heart, thoughts, and prayers for comfort are for you during this difficult time. Ann Mudge
December 30, 2012
Dick and Linda -- your Dad helped a lot folks through CPCC -- like my Mom who never got to go college but whe DID study Russian at CPCC when she was in her 60s.
Russ Robinson South Mecklenburg 1965
Barbara Helms Robinson South Mecklenburg 1966
December 29, 2012
Dick and Linda, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Barry & Mitzi Smith
December 29, 2012
I am very sorry for the loss of you dear loved one. You have my deepest sympathies. May the "God that supplies comfort and endurance" be with your family at this difficult time.
— A Williams, charlotte, North Carolina
December 29, 2012
Dick and family:
Not only do Brenda and I cherish our friendship with you, Linda and family, but your father was a great source of help to my father, Ray Craig, in the founding of Gaston College in Dallas, NC in the mid 60's. Dad was first Board Chair at Gaston and spent countless hours to make the school happen. Along with Bill Friday they gave great guidance to the Gaston founders.
I know you shared your father with many people thru his career to make CPCC a school for all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you celebrate his long life of service.
Mike & Brenda Craig
December 29, 2012
Jinny
Love to you and the family ---What a tremendous honor for me to be given the only television interview with dr. Hagemeyer years after his retirement. What a man---what a story.
David Rhew
December 29, 2012
I worked at CPCC in the early '70s. Dr. Hagemeyer did so much for community college growth in this county. He was a fine man. It is wonderful you had him for so many years.
Anda Cochran
December 29, 2012
Dick, Jr, my prayers are with you & your family during this time. Trust in the Lord & He will help you deal with your loss. God Bless.
Reggie Smith
December 29, 2012
I worked in the North Carolina Community College System for many of the years that Dr. Hagemeyer served as president of CPCC. He was respected and admired for the leadership and innovation that he brought to the flagship institution in the NC Comm. College System. Many of us at other NC Comm. Colleges learned much from the innovation that took place during his tenure at CPCC. He is missed but his foot prints remain for others to follow. Bill Davis
December 28, 2012
I enrolled in CPCC in 1980 after relocation to the queen city and needed training since i was a single mom and desired a better life. Dr, Hagemeyer stopped me on campus frequently and inquired about my progress. What a testament to compassion about others. He was a real gem. always enjoyed conversing
with him and seeing him stroll the grounds
knowing he was sincere about the needs of others.
Marlene Claiborne
December 28, 2012
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Pam Stroupe
December 28, 2012
Beth & Jack,
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Wayne & Teresa Buckner
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
December 28, 2012
Dick Hagemeyer was one of the great community college presidents of his time. He cobbled together an industrial center and a junior college into Central Piedmont Community College which became, under his leadership, the flagship community college on the Eastern Coast. His greatest talent was identifying great leaders, and CPCC was blessed with the likes of Bill McIntosh, Mel Gay, Tom Griffin, David Hunter, and Margaret Hobbs. I always thought of CPCC as my second home. When Ruth Shaw replaced Dick I gave her inaugural address; I was the dissertation chair for the current president, Tony Zeiss. I miss CPCC and will long remember and greatly admire Dick Hagemeyer and the great group of colleagues he brought together in this Carolina Camelot.
Terry O'Banion, President Emeritus, League for Innovation in the Community College
December 27, 2012
Our heartfelt sympathy to Aunt Jinny and family. In our hearts and prayers. Love John & Kim
December 27, 2012
Showing 1 - 58 of 58 results
Funeral services provided by:
CLOSED-McEwen Funeral Home & Cremation @ Myers Park500 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more