Robert Single Hagge Jr.

With immeasurable sadness we announce the death of Robert Single Hagge Jr., 76 of Hazelhurst, on January 6, 2024, after a brief but courageous battle with glioblastoma (brain cancer). As he did with most things in life, he faced this final challenge with grace, dignity, strength, and went on this last journey on his own terms. With the care and love of his family and friends, Rob spent his final days within the home he built, gazing fondly upon his beloved Lake Katherine.

Rob was born in Wausau, on Friday, June 13, 1947; which in our family made Friday the 13th always lucky, to Alice Richardson Woodson (Hagge, Forester) and Robert Single Hagge Sr. Rob was the second of four children and the oldest son.

He was educated in Wausau, then at Hebron Academy in Maine. Rob went on to complete his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania, and received a masters in architectural design at the University of Colorado. Rob brought his love of architecture home with him, and there are several notable homes within the Northwoods that reflect his mastery of design. 

Though Rob lived his entire life in Wisconsin, he traveled the world, going to just about every corner of the globe. He would always say of Italy, a place he and Elke (his wife) visited often, that they had yet to find a bad restaurant. Rob had many, many interests: history, especially of Hazelhurst and Wisconsin; collecting antique glass and old photograph postcards, art, travel; he was an avid reader and art collector. Rob was also instrumental in maintaining and supporting the Minocqua Museum and the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. In addition, he was a long-time member of the board of directors for the Marathon County Historical Society, Wausau, as well as the Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Association (OCLRA). 

One of his great loves was coaching swimming. He taught swim club for many decades, including at the high school level at Lakeland. Rob’s deep well of patience made him an excellent coach and mentor. Another of his great loves was the preservation of Lake Katherine. He spent hours on the lake in a canoe, and later, on his hydrobike. He knew every bend of the shoreline; he kept watch for invasive species and pulled many a loosestrife weed.

Rob had his greatest love for his family. He was a big older brother to his Hagge cousins, best friend to his sister and brothers, the fun uncle who spent hours playing with his nieces, nephews and his cousin’s children, and later, as he got older, a mentor to all.

Rob was single most of his life until 1998 when he met the love of his life, Elke. He worked at his own pace but finally asked her to marry him, which she did on August 12, 2006. With his marriage, he finally got the family he always wanted in his wife Elke and her daughters, Lisa and Anna, as well as son-in-law, Serkan.

Rob is preceded in death by his parents, Alice Richardson Woodson (Hagge, Forester) and Robert Single Hagge. He is survived by his wife Elke, her daughters, Lisa (Serkan) Nicolaus-Yuce, Anna Nicolaus, his sister, Leigh Hagge Tuckey (Bert), his brothers, A. Woodson Hagge (Inga), Cyrus Yawkey Hagge, a myriad of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.

We will hold a memorial service to celebrate Rob’s life at the Campanile Center for the Arts in Minocqua, on Jan. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to glioblastoma research: Glioblastoma Foundation or MD Anderson — https://glioblastomafoundation.org/; https://www.mdanderson.org/donors-volunteers/donate.html.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com. Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.