Hobart D. Wagener

Hobart D. Wagener, 84, Boulder architect from 1950 to 1985 and resident of Coronado, California for the past 20 years, died peacefully September 30th, 2005 in Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, CA following a brief illness. Hoby worked with Boulder leaders and homeowners to design and build over 200 public and private buildings including St. John's Episcopal Chapel, First Methodist Sanctuary, Fairview High School, Presbyterian Manor Apartments, Fruehauf Garden Center and the First National Bank. He designed the University of Colorado Kittredge Dormitories and Williams Village. As a partner in Architectural Associates of Colorado, he collaborated in the design of the University of Colorado Engineering Sciences Complex. Sixteen buildings were featured in architectural and professional publications; ten received national or regional awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In 1971, Hoby was elected a Fellow in the AIA. In 1985, he was recognized as the architect of the year with the AIA Colorado Honor Award. In 1995, Williams Village received an award as the outstanding building built in Colorado in the past 25 years. In 1998, the Colorado North Chapter of the AIA presented him the President's Award for practicing architecture significant to the professional development of a future generation of architects. Hoby Wagener served Boulder, the community he deeply respected, as an officer in Junior Achievement, Boy Scouts, Lions Club, and the Chamber of Commerce. He was born May 10th, 1921 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the only son of Frank and Beatrice Wagener. In 1944, he graduated with honors from the University of Michigan School of Architecture. After completing U.S. Navy Officer Training at Columbia University, he and Violet Whipple were married December 16th, 1944. He served on the destroyer John A. Bole in the World War II Okinawa campaign. Following the war, Hoby began his architectural practice in New York City with Eggers and Higgens. He admired the work of architect Pietro Belluschi in Portland, OR and was invited to work and study with him in 1947. Eager to open his own architectural practice, Hoby, Violet, and their newborn child Diane, moved in 1950 to Boulder, CO, then a small, beautiful and growing community. There he worked with James Hunter prior to launching his own firm, Hobart D. Wagener Architect, in 1953. Retiring to Coronado, CA, in 1985, Hoby volunteered as an architectural guide for the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. He enjoyed architectural photography, world travel, and designing homes for family members. Two weeks before his death, he traveled to northern Russia to visit and photograph medieval stave churches. He is survived by Violet, his wife of 61 years; daughter Diane Wagener of Bethesda, MD; and sons Jeffrey Wagener (wife Priscilla) of Boulder, CO, and Shaw Wagener (wife Deborah Heitz) of La Canada, CA. Grandchildren are Zelinda and Madison Welch, Josiah and Graham Wagener, and Sophia and Harrison Wagener. Private services will be held November 12th in Green Mountain Cemetery, Boulder, CO. Friends are invited to the home of Jeff and Priscilla Wagener, 1950 Senda Rocosa, Boulder, between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 12th to informally share memories of a sincere, loving and creative husband, father, grandfather and friend. Memorial contributions may be made to the Architectural Education Foundation, AIA Colorado, 3320 East Second Avenue, Denver, CO 80206 or The Salk Institute, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037.