Owen Jay Hahn

Owen Jay Hahn was born April 21, 1940 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Paul Hahn of Newtonsville, Ohio and Elveta “Betty” Zimmerlin Hahn of Heyworth, Illinois. Owen is survived by his wife of 45 years, Nancy, and two sons—Michael (Angela), Stephen (Sarah) and 3 grandchildren; Benjamin, William, and Lila.

Owen attended Teller Elementary, Gove Junior High and East High School. He graduated with a BA in 1962 and an MA in 1966 from the University of Denver.

Owen worked for the Denver Public Schools for a total of 42 years. He taught Math/Counseling at Byers Jr. High (1962-1982). It was there he met Nancy Zapf Hahn. They fell in love and were married on July 17, 1971. This past July they celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary with the entire family in Breckinridge, CO.

Owen was a College/Career Counselor at his high school alma mater, East High (1982-2004). He devoted much time and energy in getting to know his counselees and working diligently to write letters of recommendation for them to get into the college of their choice. Owen was a life-long learner, always taking a class or reading a book on a new topic. Some of his favorite interests included: history, ancestry, Dynasties of China and the Zodiac Calendar, gardening, home improvements, yard work, astronomy and traveling. He especially loved to read about the Lewis & Clark Expedition because he was a distant relative to Nancy Clark, a niece of William Clark. He loved all genres of music but felt he did not have a good singing voice, so he could be heard whistling all types of music from a John Phillips Sousa March to an aria from an opera to a Dolly Parton country song.

Owen was the happiest when each of his sons was born…first Michael Paul Hahn and 2 yrs. later Stephen Jay Hahn. He delighted in watching them grow and learn and just being with them. He encouraged them and helped them achieve Merit Badges in the Boy Scouts…with each one of them becoming an Eagle Scout. He loved camping out with them and they were able to climb a 14er together. When each son got married, Owen felt that they chose well, and now we had added 2 daughters to our family. But one of the most delightful happenings in his life was becoming a grandfather. Much of his time then revolved around planning creative play and just having fun with these 3 little ones.

Although Owen had many friends and co-workers, he counted the people in the Faith & Friendship Class at Grace United Methodist Church as his best friends. He looked forward to going every Labor Day Weekend to Buena Vista, CO to hike and fish and visit with these friends. Travels, first with the children and later in retirement were enjoyed. His favorite trip was a 6000 mile trip from Colorado to Maine and back with a couple of stops to visit Nancy’s family in Pennsylvania. Another special trip was a 23 day trip to Europe after retirement.

Owen’s legacy to his family was that he was a loyal son, a loving husband, a great Dad, and a delightful and fun Grandpa! We are grateful for the 76 years of his life. Owen Hahn’s Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Grace United Methodist Church, 4905 E. Yale Ave., Denver, CO. Memorial Donations may be made to National Jewish Health, designated for ILD Research. Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, Cemetery & Arboretum, Wheat Ridge, CO.