Charles P. Hagenah

Charles Peter Hagenah passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025. Charlie was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 11, 1937. He lived most of his life in Lexington, Massachusetts where his passion for architecture, the outdoors, and community left a lasting mark.

He now joins in spirit; his parents, Anna and Charles Hagenah, his sister, Helen DeGrauw Umstead and his nephew James DeGrauw. He is survived by his wife, Susan (Greeley) Hagenah, his children Krista Diamond, Alexander and Petra Hagenah, and his granddaughter, Ava. He is also survived by his niece, Karen Giere and nephews William, John, and Robert DeGrauw and their significant others and many close family members across the pond in Germany.

Charlie was known for his intellect, creativity and deep commitment to improving the world. He graduated from Colgate University in 1959. He played basketball for Colgate and was captain of the basketball team. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He then went on to study architecture at Yale University. He co-founded Amsler, Hagenah, McLean Architects in Boston and eventually established his own firm, Charles Hagenah Architects.

Among his many accomplishments were his roles in the ‘Save Fenway Park’ committee, the preservation of the Landlocked Forest, (300 acres of conservation land in Lexington and Burlington across the street from his home), and the design of the Salter Building in Lexington Center where he brought local historians and merchants together to create a historically significant second floor space. His innovative work also included the design of a solar-powered building in Baltimore and an international project in India to design a zero-carbon-emission city. He was a man of vision and heart always wanting to leave the world a better place.

Charlie was a respected professor at Roger Williams University where he inspired generations of architects with his wisdom and passion. Beyond architecture, he was a brilliant painter. He painted with “a fearless extravaganza with layer upon layer of dazzling imagery and a riotous orgy of color” with his artwork decorating the homes of family and friends. One of his many achievements was designing an award-winning treehouse for his children, a project that became a treasured space.

Outside of architecture, Charlie was a lover of nature and adventure. He was an avid mountaineer with a love for the White Mountains, particularly Mount Lafayette which he climbed so many times in all seasons. His fearless spirit also took him on climbing expeditions to the Cascades and the glaciers of Bolivia. He also ventured to Baxter State Park to climb Mount Katahdin and canoe down the Allagash River.

Charlie will be deeply missed and remembered for his extraordinary talents, contributions and life lessons as well as his thoughtfulness, generosity, and unwavering love for family, friends and community.

Rest in peace Charlie. You lived a good life! Your adventures and compassion will continue to inspire us all. “Don’t sweat the small stuff!”

A celebration of life will be held at the Back Bay Taylor Community Room in Wolfeboro, NH on Sunday, June 29th from 2:00-4:00pm. A memorial hike up Mount Lafayette will follow on Monday, June 30th for those looking for an adventure. Details on the hike to come.