Richard Allen Hagg

Rick made his vocal debut on Monday, September 10, 1951, the son of Robert V. & Ethel E. (Yates) Hagg (quite the birthday gift for his sister Sharon!) and took his final curtain call on Monday, May 17th, 2021.

Growing up in Stony Ridge Ohio he developed his love of music, creativity, the arts and teaching. A member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rick not only attended Sunday School and Catechism class but went on to teach Catechism classes, work with the youth, create St. John’s Players, and be the church’s Choir Director for several decades. At Eastwood High School he was involved in the music and theater programs, was a member of the Choir, performed in the Musicals, and played sousaphone in the Marching Band. A Music Major at BGSU, Rick was a member of the BGSU Choir, toured with the Men’s Chorale, was active in BG’s opera productions, and was a teaching assistant for Dr. Richard D. Mathey.

Rick, an actor, director, singer, mentor, visionary, believer, artist, and friend is widely known for his body of work in Ohio, Michigan, Kansas, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and New York.  In a career spanning more than 4 decades he is remembered for his work on Oliver, The King and I, Working (OCTA award winner), Brigadoon, Funny Girl, The Pirates of Penzance, Chicago, 1776, Pippin, Annie, Barnum, Sweet Charity, Singing in the Rain, Godspell, Hello Dolly, and Jesus Christ Superstar to name a few. He worked with celebrities including: Joanne Worley, Ron Furr, Phyllis Diller, Jim Nabors, Buddy Graff, Don McPhearson, Tim Shew, Amanda Green, Carol Hall, and Dolly Parton.

As a performer Rick is best known for his signature portrayal of Tevye, in Fiddler on the Roof, and as Daddy Warbucks, in Annie. In these two roles Rick played polar opposites.  Whether rich or poor he captured the essence of these characters leaving those who saw him feeling the warmth he brought to everything he did.

 Switching between these 2 roles proved to be a challenge.  Warbucks is completely bald and clean shaven. He would need time to prepare for Tevye’s bearded shaggy haired character!

Surviving and celebrating Rick are his loving wife, Julie Ann Boesenhofer, his sister, Sharon Hagg Hamel, his nephews, Bill Hamel and Steve Hamel, and their families as well as special friends David & Janell Vickers, Dana Roca, and Ozzie. As a special blessing, Oliver, Rick’s beloved Seeing Eye dog, crossed the rainbow bridge to join him on April 30, 2022.

There will be a Celebration of Rick’s life on Saturday September 24th, 11:00 am at Faith United Lutheran Church 4543 Douglas Road Toledo OH 43613, with lunch following the service. Please join Rick’s family and friends to honor and remember this wonderful man who used his many talents and generous heart to bring so much joy to so many.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to TheSeeingEye.org or Faith United Lutheran Church, Toledo, OH.

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