Obituary of Robert A. Hagstrom

Robert A. Hagstrom died at his home in Cheney's Point on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 following a lengthy illness. He was a member of the English faculty at Jamestown Community College from 1966 to 1996, and also served the college as chair of arts and humanities, visual and performing arts, languages and literature, and as director of continuing education. His numerous contributions both within the classroom and beyond made a lasting impact on the lives of countless students and community members, and on the fabric and character of the college. Born in Jamestown on September 4, 1942, he was the son of the late Oscar Reinhold Hagstrom and Hazel Ruth Ryden Hagstrom. He graduated from Jamestown Community College and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in English from SUNY Fredonia and a doctorate from SUNY at Buffalo. A champion of the visual and performing arts, he established the London Theatre Seminar which introduced thousands of JCC students and members of the community to the art and craft of the British stage. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Robert Lee Scharmann fund which provided scholarships to area theatre students and supported the expansion of arts programming at the college. He coordinated residencies at the college by numerous distinguished professionals such as Alvin Ailey, Andy Warhol, The Acting Company, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as residencies supported by the British Council and the British Old Vic Theatre School. He created faculty/student exchanges with the Portsmouth (England) College of Art and Design. He was also one of the originators of the developmental studies program at JCC and served as a member of the JCC FORUM Gallery board. His deep commitment to teaching and learning along with his innovative spirit earned him many honors, including the State University of New York's Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the JCC Foundation's John D. Hamilton Award. His contributions extended beyond the college to the region and the professional community. He served as a member of the boards of the Chautauqua County Humane Society and the Fenton Historical Society, director and president of the Gallery Association of New York State and a member of the executive committee of the SUNY Committee on the Arts, among many others. In addition, he served as an evaluator for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. A world traveler, Bob's global experiences provided an opportunity to build the international relationships which would benefit his college and community. An exceptional teacher and mentor, he will be remembered as dynamic, creative, articulate, and energetic, with an agile mind, a quick wit, and the ability to stimulate others to engage in new experiences and to view the world through a fresh lens. He was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Rodger Hagstrom, and is survived by six nieces and nephews: Carl R. Hagstrom of Universal, TX; Anne Greenwald of Midlothian, VA; Susan Hagstrom of Buffalo, NY, Chris Hagstrom of Longview, TX, Mary Alexander of El Ciruelo, Panama, Curt Hagstrom of Aubrey, TX, and his beloved dog Maxie. Visitation will not be observed. A private graveside service will be held in Lake View Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society 2825 Strunk Road Jamestown, NY 14701 or to the JCC Foundation 525 Falconer Street Jamestown, NY 14701.