David D. Hagstrom

David D. Hagstrom

Poughkeepsie - - David D. Hagstrom, 80, is grateful to his family, friends, and colleagues for enriching his life and making it possible to enjoy countless blessings, a rewarding career, and cherished times, before he passed away on December 20, 2020.

David was born in Schenevus, NY, and raised in Port Allegany, PA by his devoted parents Gust and Louise Hagstrom, along with his sisters Katherine and Karen. Growing up, David enjoyed playing trumpet in the high school band and piano for the church choir.

David earned his B.A. from Oberlin College in Government and Economics, and his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. After clerking for a U.S. District Court judge, serving in private practice, and then as legal counsel for a corporation, David joined Van DeWater & Van DeWater, LLP, in Poughkeepsie in 1972, becoming a Partner and Managing Partner. David's law practice included municipal law, commercial tax review proceedings, planning, zoning, and litigation, and he also served as Town Attorney to the Town of Poughkeepsie for many years. With the range of law he practiced, David considered himself a "primary care" attorney for his clients. David retired shortly after wins in both the Appellate Division and the Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York State.

David served his community as a board member for the Bardavon and the Vassar Brothers Hospital Foundation, and after retirement, on the Town of Poughkeepsie Board of Assessment Review.

Those who knew David will remember him for his smile, enthusiasm, generosity, integrity, work ethic, sense of humor, and the enjoyment he got from his love of the law, music, theater, reading, cooking, traveling, and most of all, connecting with other people.

Those who knew David also know his pride in his two daughters that survive him: Kirsten Hagstrom, Ph.D., and her husband Doyle Ward and their daughter Natalie of Sterling, MA, and Karen Hagstrom, Esq., her husband Matthew Weishaupt and their children Jonathon, Courtney, Tatum, and Matthew, of Red Hook, NY. David is also survived by his close friend Shirley Adams, his sister Karen McCormack and her husband Richard and their children, his brother-in law Gerald Baker, his nieces Kara Landis and Susan Rose, and grand-nieces and nephews. David was predeceased by his parents, Gust and Louise Hagstrom, and his sister, Katherine Baker.

Visitation will be held on December 29 from 5-7 pm at the William G. Miller & Son Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie. A private family service and burial will follow the next day. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your favorite charity. If you wish to send an online condolence, please visit the website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com