

Richard Stephen Hagel (first day of every school year - Steve thereafter) was born July 31, 1953 to Roger and Jean Hagel. He was one of the last babies born in the old St Joseph’s Hospital in downtown Phoenix - just missing the move to the new (air conditioned) facility.
He came home to a newly-built house; chosen because of the quality of the Madison School District. Steve and his older sister Rita attended Madison #1, Camelback High and both graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles. In his youth, Steve enjoyed playing baseball and especially music, taking piano lessons from a young age and playing keyboards and organ in bands that performed in the Phoenix area.
After graduation, Steve began a brokerage career with Dean Witter in L.A. - while still playing music on the side. At work, he met Ellen Clark, the office manager, who would become Steve’s wife of 32 years. They had one son, Richard Stephen Hagel, Jr. (first day of school - Stevie thereafter). Before Stevie’s first birthday the family moved back to the Phoenix area, where Steve owned a toy store in Mesa, then returned to the brokerage business.
Always a leader, and with a natural gift for helping others, Steve pivoted and became a credentialed teacher after a layoff due to cutbacks in 2001. “If I have to work another 20 years, I’m going to do something I love!” He became a language arts teacher at Madison #1 Middle School; the same Madison #1 he and Rita had attended. Steve touched the lives of countless students, staff, and families as a respected teacher and baseball coach.
Throughout his adult life, Steve gave himself not only to his students and his family, but to his fellowship of sobriety. At the time of his passing, he had collected 41 years of “stamping out the disease,” and was a beloved sponsor and mentor to many during his time in LA and Phoenix.
“Steve spoke the Truth, clearer than most.”
In his later years, Steve was stricken with Alzheimer’s disease and retired from teaching. During this time, his devotion to his fellowship did not waiver. He was in turn blessed by their continuing devotion to him, a gift for which his family is infinitely grateful.
Steve was blessed once more by participating at the Hospice of the Valley Dementia Care and Education Campus, close to where he lived with his son and their family. He took part in the campus day program, where he shared his lifelong passion for music, learning, humor, and his unparalleled whistling skills. Steve spent his final days in Hospice at the Levine Home on the Campus, and passed peacefully in their care on January 15th, 2026.
Steve is survived by his son Stevie (Jennifer), granddaughter Elodie, grandson Emmett and his sister Rita Hagel.
In lieu of flowers, consider an act of service or donation to one of the following causes close to Steve’s heart.
Dementia Care and Education Campus
AZ Humane Society
A celebration of Steve’s life and legacy will be held on Tuesday February 17th, 2026 at 6:00 pm at Phoenix Camelback Seventh Day Adventist Church at 5902 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
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