Dr. David Russell Hager Sr.

Dr. David R. Hager, Sr., Professor Emeritus of Higher Education, and International Studies, ascended to eternal life quietly at his home on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, due to natural causes. He was 79. David was the son of Stephanie "Stella" Hager and William Russell Shaw. David was the treasured husband of and partner to Jane Warren Meeks for nearly 30 years before her passing in 2018. He was a beloved father to Michele Hager Clark and Jae Clark of Virginia Beach; David Russell Hager, Jr. and Michelle Marie Hager of Broomfield, CO; and Michael Warren Meeks, of Norfolk, VA (deceased). David was truly the devoted and caring grandfather to "The Grandboys," Tyler Hager, Aiden Clark, Ryan Hager, and Ean Clark. David always said, "Being Grandpa was the best job ever."

David also leaves behind his beloved brother and wife, Bill Midtgard and Gail Midtgard; brother-in-law and wife, Rev. Randy Warren and Mary Essay Warren; brother-in-law and wife, John Claya and Mary Claya; brother-in-law, Michael Claya; and a host of cousins and beloved family members who mourn his loss.

A host of close friends also mourn David's passing including David's dearest friend of 38 years, Judy Bowman, and her husband Jerry, Nancy Pindur, Gordon and Shirley Glover, Max and Emily Dale, Deb Swiecinski and Jack Gross, Lorraine Connaughton, Tom and Barbara Wallace, Donna Wallis Meeks, Marilyn Eanet, and Dee Pearl-Ostrower, most of whom shared their friendship with him for more than 25 years. The David Hager stories will live on forever in our hearts.

Also, there are the wonderful friends and neighbors who are the community of the Landings at Bolling Square. They have been loving, compassionate, and generous with the care they provided for David and his family. David's last birthday parade and the delivered home-cooked meals will not be forgotten. Finally, there are the thousands of ODU students whose lives were enriched by David and with whom he shared his true love of learning and teaching, as well as his commitment to "fighting to build a better future."

Born August 13, 1941, David grew up in Hamtramck, a Polish community outside Detroit, MI. Early on, David learned the importance of hard work from his mother, Stella. He was tops in Catholic school because he could fluently speak Polish and English. From age 11, he worked as a newspaper boy, store fixture designer, and men's custom clothing shop manager. Working at that men's shop explained why David always dressed so sharp!

While on a high school field trip, David saw the auto workers toiling away, especially the "grease pit rookies". David told himself "That will be me if I don't make some serious changes." At that point, David enrolled in community college, joined Air Force ROTC, and graduated from Wayne State University with a BA in Political Science, 1963. Before heading off to the Air Force, as an officer, David married his first wife, Marlene Claya Hager, on August 15, 1964. They had their first child, David, at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC, in 1966 and later their second child, Michele, in Virginia Beach in 1973.

David's lifelong love of aviation started as a young boy when a family friend let him take the controls of a Beechcraft Bonanza. This sparked a passion and desire for him to earn his private pilot's license in high school. David also excelled in the Air Force ROTC program at Wayne State and was tops in his graduating class.

David served in the U.S. Air Force during the Cold War (1963-68). He moved through the ranks, first as a jet pilot, then later as a combat intelligence officer and combat crew evaluator, with SAC and the Eighth Air Force's 68th Bomb Wing, Seymour-Johnson AFB. He held his private pilot's license and enjoyed flying many types of civilian and military aircraft, but his all-time favorite was the B-52.

After leaving active duty, David, Marlene, and their young son moved to start graduate school, at the University of Virginia. He loved to tell the story about his first day, where he got lost in the library, was late for his first class, and wanted to quit right then and there! We are all glad he stuck it out and in 1969 he earned his Ph.D. in Foreign Affairs. While at UVA, David was a graduate teaching assistant. His initial success at teaching, triggered an unknown love to help students and live with purpose.

This led to his first job as a political science instructor at Old Dominion University in 1969. Dr. Hager became a tenured professor in higher education administration and international studies. He taught international law, comparative political systems, and higher education curriculum. Among the positions, he held at Old Dominion were Chair of the Political Science and Geography Department, Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, ROTC Liaison, Dean of Graduate Studies, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice Provost, and Acting Provost (five different times) throughout his career at ODU.

Dr. Hager was also involved with the United Nations and taught his annual U.N. Seminar for over 25 years. This allowed hundreds of ODU students to experience the U.N. both in the classroom and in New York City, to see the U.N. in action. Dr. Hager's trips included meetings with various world leaders and visits with member countries, all while sharing the excitement of the Big Apple with his students.

Being dedicated to ODU, David found his soul mate, Jane Warren Meeks. Jane was a faculty member and dean during her 33+ years at Old Dominion. Their commitment to ODU brought them together, and their love for one another continued until Jane's passing in 2018.

David was ODU! For more than 50 years, he had a deep commitment to the one and only university he loved. He would carefully listen and then act, always keeping in mind the best interest of the faculty, the staff, and especially the students of Old Dominion. Dr. Hager served under each of Old Dominion's eight presidents and was forever loyal to ODU. David has been described as the institutional glue that held the university together. David's passion for ODU transferred to his kids; David, Michele, and Mike who are all Old Dominion Monarchs.

David was not all about work. His deep love of books, movies, music, and theater brought a complexity to David not known by most. He loved to read. You would rarely find him without his Nook or a newspaper by his side. He loved live performances. Whether a Broadway musical, a West End comedy, or his son, David's, jazz and pep band performances at ODU, David always supported the arts, his students, and his family. David even jumpstarted Aiden's voice acting career.

David loved sports, particularly women's athletics. He loved watching his daughter, Michele, play basketball and soccer, in high school and at Virginia Tech. David was also a diehard Falcon soccer fan, frequently traveling to watch Michele coach her teams. His support of girls' soccer at Cox, and the ODU women's basketball team, brought him much enjoyment well into retirement. David and Jane also supported women's athletics by starting an ODU scholarship for a female athlete that focused on education and literacy. David's joy for live performances or sporting events, has been carried forward. The grandboys love tailgating, hanging out in the VIP room, or getting dressed up to see a play with Grandpa.

David's family was his true love. David looked forward to his Wednesday night visits with the grandboys and Sunday night dinners with his daughter, Michele, her husband Jae, and especially Aiden and Ean. He thoroughly enjoyed having the grandboys stay with him during the summer, watching Ean and Aiden play sports, and sharing in Zoo Camp with Aiden. David and Jane also traveled to Colorado to see David, and wife Michelle. Grandpa and Mimi loved their "Spoilathons" and enjoyed watching Tyler and Ryan ski and play soccer. Sometimes the simple things, like fishing, or grabbing the local paper and a donut with the grandboys, brought David sheer joy. He also loved to horseback ride, hike, or just relax with a good book in the Colorado sunshine.

David also thoroughly enjoyed the beach. He spent many family vacations in Hilton Head, SC, and the Outer Banks, NC. This yearly reunion allowed him to celebrate with his family. Whether hanging out on the beach, having Sunday brunch at the Boathouse, or boating around the island, David wanted to ensure these special times would continue. David made positive impacts on the Boards of Seawatch, Hilton Head; Pirate's Cove, Outer Banks; and the Virginia Beach Resort Advisory Commission.

David's family would like to thank his caretakers: Sharon Chapman, Dorethia "Dee" Fairley, Heather Hunt, Katrina Brown, and Sentara nurse Lauri Bliss, who worked tirelessly and lovingly to help David live the final part of his life to the fullest. They allowed him the opportunity to honor his wish to live at home, independently, and with dignity. He was graciously cared for until his passing, wrapped in both his Old Dominion Blanket and his Healing Blanket.

David would say his goodbyes with a simple quote, "take care of yourselves, each other, and your family." This is the way he lived his life, loved his family, and built a better future.

Donations may be made to the David R. Hager Endowed Graduate Scholarship in International Studies at Old Dominion. Go to https://odu.edu/about/support-odu/gift,click on GIVE NOW, and type David R. Hager Scholarship in the "Scholarship Name" box. Or mail contributions to Barbara M. Henley, Executive Director of Gift Planning, 4417 Monarch Way, Suite 4113, Norfolk, VA 23529. Questions call: (757) 683-6563.

A Celebration of Life for David will be held on the campus of Old Dominion University during the Spring of 2021, time and date to be determined. This will allow everyone to share in the joy that was David. Online condolences may be made to the family at hdoliver.com.