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PROVINCIAL cabinet minister Stan Hagen, who died
suddenly of a heart attack January 20 at age 68, was known to both friends
and political opposites as a person who understood and practiced servant
leadership.
Hagen, B.C.’s agriculture and lands minister at
the time of his death, was recalled by Tom Cooper of City in Focus (CIF) as
having been “highly esteemed in both the political and wider
community.”
Cooper described both Hagen and his wife, Judy as
“deeply committed followers of Christ.”
Hagen, long time Comox Valley MLA and a member of
Faith Lutheran Church in Courtenay, first served in provincial politics in
the late 1980s, in the Social Credit cabinets of Bill Vander Zalm and Rita
Johnston – and then reentered politics in 2001.
Hagen is also remembered as playing a significant
initiator role in the Science World legacy.
Premier Gordon Campbell noted that “Stan served
as minister of 10 different ministries in governments from 1986 to 2009. He
worked with people in a way that encouraged them to do their best, as he
worked on their behalf.”
Cooper said Hagen had been a volunteer small group
leader with university students, at a faith-based leadership event
sponsored by CIF. “I have talked to students who were deeply touched
by his sharing.”
Not that he escaped political criticism.
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A few years ago, Hagen and other provincial cabinet
ministers were ‘banned’ from visiting Vancouver’s
Downtown Eastside, by community activists who believed the government did
not understand poverty issues.
But, upon his death, provincial NDP leader Carol James
had words of praise. Hagen, she said, made an “enormous contribution
to public life and to the well-being of his community.”
Hagen is survived by his wife, five children and three
grandchildren. – Lloyd Mackey
February 2009
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