Arnold Hagen

A proud Norwegian, Arnold Ronald (Sonny) Hagen, found peace when he transitioned from this life on October 2, 2024. He was born in Detroit to Norwegian immigrants Marit Sundheim and Julius Hagen on July 7, 1932. He was the youngest of six children, Evelyn (Ralph) Robinson, Mildred who died in infancy, Norman (Elizabeth) Hagen, Ruth (John) Flory and Joyce (James) Holmes.

Arnold attended Cooley High School in Detroit. In 1952, at the age of 20, he was drafted and served honorably in the United States Army, earning the rank of Sergeant at Fort Bliss, Texas during the Korean Conflict. During his time in the military he did extensive work on missiles, rockets and radar surveillance. Because of this work and security clearance, he was eye witness to the testing of the atomic bomb and met the physicist and creator J. Robert Oppenheimer, known as the “father of the atomic bomb”. He traveled between Fort Bliss, White Sands Proving Grounds and Strategic Air Command. Following his discharge from the Army, he was hired into Chrysler Missile. It was here that he was privileged to meet Wernher von Braun, the aerospace engineer and leading figure in the development of rocket and space technology. The military opened up many possibilities as a young man and was key to his continuing education.

Later, he pursued a career in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Detroit. Following graduation he began working at General Motors Detroit Diesel Allison Division where he was instrumental in setting up the computer network.

In 1966 Arnold married Joan Pelto in Detroit and together raised three children he was very proud of; Mari (Rolf) vonWalthausen, Bradley (Cally) Hagen and Christopher (Erin) Hagen and welcomed grandsons Cooper and Max Hagen. Arnold and Joan spent six years in the northwest Detroit area before moving to Hartland, Michigan. After 44 years in Hartland they moved to Traverse City in late 2017.

Arnold was a man whose curiosity dominated his life. Always wanting to do more, see more, learn more. He traveled through most of the United States. He loved to ski, swim, hike and play various sports with his co-workers at G.M. He worked on the Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona, became a pilot, and accomplished woodworker. He was a gunsmith, a collector of antique tools and built his own home in Hartland. He was passionate about music, especially the classical. The angels will surely sing him to heaven.

After both Arnold and Joan retired, they made a six-week trip to Sweden and Norway where they were welcomed by relatives they’d met for the first time. A highlight of retirement for them both. They became members of the Sons of Norway in Suttons Bay, enjoying more of their heritage and becoming friends with many fine people.

Unfortunately, vascular dementia robbed him of most of these wonderful memories that his creative engineering mind couldn't find a solution for.

Arnold is survived by his wife Joan of 58 years, wonderful children Mari, Brad and Chris their spouses, two amazing grandsons, Cooper and Max, nephews, nieces, his 100-year-old sister Ruth Flory, extended family and longtime friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Evelyn, Mildred, Norman and Joyce, nephews Lary Hagen, John Flory and niece Carol Judson.

Cremation has taken place and he will be interred at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI. A private gathering will take place in Traverse City.

Special thanks to Munson Healthcare Hospice for their generous care, especially Emily who shared weekly with us while on our path. Also, many thanks to friends and neighbors who supported us along the way as we walked this sometimes bumpy road,

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