ROBERT C. HAGNER
1927-2017
Robert C. “Bud” Hagner, Sr. passed away January 11, 2017 on his 90th birthday. He was born in Dallas Texas on January 11, 1927, to William Joseph Hagner, Sr. and Dorothy Stabler Hagner. The family moved to San Antonio when Bud was 1 year old, and then to West University/ Houston when he was 5 years old.
Bud graduated from Lamar High School in 1944. He entered Texas A&M in June 1944, the same month that Allied Forces stormed the beaches in Normandy. In 1945, Bud temporarily left A&M to enlist in the United States Navy to serve his Country. After an honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to College Station to continue his education with A&M. He graduated in August 1949 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Bud was a man of many successful business accomplishments. His first job after graduation was with Magnolia Petroleum Company in Dallas, Texas. Three years later, he returned to Houston and was employed by Brown Fintube, a manufacturer’s representative company, where he began designing and selling heat exchangers. He left Brown Fintube in 1968, and formed his own manufacturer’s representative company. In 1971, Bud formed Bas-Tex Corporation, and in 1983, he purchased Brown Fintube Company. It merged with Bas-Tex, but kept the Brown Fintube Company name which was synonymous with fuel oil heating equipment around the world. By 1984, Bud was part of the Taper-Lok development. He sold Brown Fintube to Koch Industries in 1990, and Taper-Lok in 1998. However, Bud never “officially” retired. He remained busy managing The Hagner Limited Partnership, Hill Hagner Corporation, and Plan B Ventures. Retiring or quitting was not in Bud’s vocabulary.
With a desire to share his success with others, Bud provided financial support to Texas A&M programs that included the Corps of Cadets, Mechanical Engineering, the Memorial Student Center, Parson’s Mounted Cavalry, The 12th Man Foundation, The Former Students’ Association, and the class of “48” scholarships. He also funded a Sul Ross Scholarship and an Earl Rudder Scholarship. He was a generous donor to the 12th Man Championship Vision campaign to help build the Bright Football Complex and the Academic Center. The Hagner Auditorium on the first floor of the Complex is named in his honor. Bud once said that one of his proudest civil accomplishments and involvements was being involved with the 12th Man Foundation and College of Engineering.
Bud often shared how proud he was of his family, and that they were his greatest lifelong accomplishment. He is predeceased by his wife, Faye Powers Hagner, parents, Joe and Dorothy Hagner; his brother, Bill Hagner; and sons, David Brack and Dan Brack. He is survived by his sister Dorothy Hagner Sattler; his loving children: Dr. Penny Hagner Koepsel (Jim Vogler); Sally Lane; Robert C. “Buddy” Hagner, Jr. (Trish); and Steve Brack (Kelly). He is survived by grandchildren Daniel Koepsel (Tamara); Chris Brack (Sarah Katherine); Hilary Hall (Cody); Sarah Elizabeth Brack; Hunter Brack; Presley Brack. He is survived by great grandchildren: Amber Brack, Bryce Coffie, Brayden Coffie, Natalie Brack, and Zoe Hall.
All services will be held at Memorial Oaks Cemetery and Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 15th at 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 16th in the chapel, with graveside services following immediately.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that, should you desire, contributions in Bud’s name be directed to Carl Jaedicke, Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation at c-jaedicke@tamu.edu.