William J. Hagenah Jr. ’42

Bill Hagenah died June 20, 2010, in Evanston, Ill.

Bill came to Princeton as one of 12 graduates of New Trier High School in Winnetka, Ill. At college he majored in geology and was a member of the senior prom committee and Quadrangle Club.  

Shortly after graduating, Bill was taught to fly by the Navy. He had duty first in Guadalcanal, then on the U.S. mainland, and finally onboard DC-4s flying from America to Morocco and Britain.  

After his discharge from the Navy, Bill went to work for the William Wrigley Co. His skills in finance became apparent, and he was appointed treasurer and then senior vice president and a director of the company. From 1977 to 1981 he was president of the Chicago Cubs.  

Bill was a popular man with a host of friends throughout his life. He enjoyed golf with Phil Schaff and Bob Steinhoff.  

Bill’s first marriage ended in divorce. In 1967 he married Marge Clark. Together they relished powering Bill’s boat up and down the Atlantic Coast and enjoyed cruises all over the globe. He is survived by Marge; his daughter, Blanny Avalon Hagenah; sons William, Philip, and John; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. To them all, the class sends sympathy.