Earle Hagen 1925 - 2008

With profound grief and sadness the families of David Hagen and Jeffrey Hagen announce the passing of their father, Earle Hagen, in the early afternoon of Saturday 030108.

Earle was at dinner on Saturday February 23 at one of his favorite restaurants, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Woodland Hills, enjoying the company of his sons and some other members of his family, as well as a beautiful steak and a delicious glass of wine when, it appears, a blood clot caused a massive stroke at the base of his brain. Although we at first believed he had choked, doctors at Kaiser Permanente have determined that he did indeed have a stroke and that there was therefore nothing that anyone could have done. Searching for silver linings, although we will all of course miss our father terribly and would have been grateful for any additional time he could have been with us, we take comfort in the fact that his last conscious experience was among family in a pleasant environment.  Had our dad been given choices about how he would pass away, he would probably have chosen that very one. He didn't pass alone, he didn't pass while driving where he might have endangered others, and he didn't pass among strangers. He also spared himself and his family the indignities and loss of independence that often come toward the end of one's life.  Those of you who knew Earle well realize that Earle would not have accepted such developments lightly.  And while having a life-ending stroke deprived of us the opportunity to communicate our love and best wishes to him, you also realize that Earle knew already how much we all cared about him and loved him, and wouldn't have felt terribly comfortable with tearful emotional displays.

A memorial service celebrating Earle's life will be conducted by Temple Aliyah's Rabbi Stewart Vogel and Hazzan Mike Stein at the TaNaCH Chapel at Mount Sinai Mortuary in Hollywood Hills/Los Angeles on Wednesday 030508 at 0200pm followed by a graveside service. Mount Sinai Mortuary is located off the 134 Ventura Freeway at the Forest Lawn Drive exit.

Well prior to his passing, Earle requested that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may make donations to his favorite charitable organizations: Temple Aliyah [24400 Aliyah Way, Woodland Hills, California 91367], Women's League For Conservative Judaism [48 East 74th Street, New York, New York 10021], and the American Cancer Society.

After the service, the Hagen families will welcome those wishing to do so to return to Earle's home, 5925 Moorcroft Avenue, Woodland Hills 91367.  A shiva service will follow at Earle's home at 0700pm.

David Hagen Jeffrey Hagen

Earle was a giant in the Central District of California bankruptcy community for the past 50 years.  JH