Obituary of Col George Philip Haag, U.S. Army,

George Philip Haag, age 87, died with comfort and dignity under the loving care of Pikes Peak Hospice on Monday, August 10, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.George was born on October 26, 1932 in Bay Shore, New York to Martha and George Haag. The family lived in Islip, New York where George and his sisters grew up. George attended school in the same building for K-12. George went on to nursing school at Central Islip State Hospital in New York. He met a beautiful nursing student, Edyth "Dee" Matthews, while doing a rotation at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Dee and George were married on April 12, 1953 and had three children together. George received his RN diploma and went on to Anesthesia training at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh where he received his CRNA. He then went into private practice in Pikeville, Kentucky and West Chester, Pennsylvania. George entered the Air Force in 1965 at Warner Robins AFB, Georgia. He transferred to the U.S. Army in 1968. His first assignment was as an anesthesia instructor at Walter Reed Army Hospital. He served in Vietnam followed by an assignment to Augsburg, Germany. His next assignment was Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Colorado, again in education. The Army sent him to the University of Wyoming where he received his PhD in education. His final assignment was Program Director, Phase 1 US Army/TWC Anesthesiology for ANC Officers at Fort Sam Houston, Texas where he retired as a full Colonel.After retiring from the Army, George and his second wife, Dorothy "Dottie", went to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina where he taught until his second retirement in 1997. They split their time between Aurora, Colorado and North Port, Florida. Colonel Haag's legacy is ongoing in the many hundreds of nurse anesthesia students and CRNAs he taught and who he closely mentored over the years in his role as supervisor; clinical nurse anesthesia instructor; Clinical Program Director; Program Director, U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing; and Program Director, Carolinas Medical Center, School of Nurse Anesthesia. Colonel Haag understood the importance of academic credentials as a means of furthering the profession of nurse anesthesia. He also understood that academic credentials without safe, knowledgeable clinicians is a determent to our profession. He was often heard to say that employers of nurse anesthetists first and foremost want safe practitioners. This pragmatic approach worked well for George. He worked diligently to make sure that academic credentials were enhanced with excellent clinical skills, the best of both worlds. A testament to George's experience and knowledge can be found in the many former students that became supervisors, clinical instructors and directors of nurse anesthesia programs.George enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, hunting and camping. He was an active member of the Archeological Society in Florida, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and the Military Officers Association. George was an avid traveler and was happiest making memories visiting friends and family. He was a devoted Broncos fan, (unless they were playing the Giants), and enjoyed college football and basketball. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his first wife, Dee; second wife, Dottie; sisters, Louise Paget and Phyllis Lamantagne; and stepson, James Grisinger. He is survived by his daughter, Caryn (Bruce) Slawinski of Aurora, Colorado; and his sons, George (Karen) Haig of Hampstead, North Carolina, and Paul (Terri) Haag of Colorado Springs, Colorado; five grandchildren, Michelle Sala, Kylie Haag, Kellyn (Preston) Forester, Ryan (Courtney) Haig and Tara (Andrew) Harris; and three step-grandchildren, Daniel (Ellen) Grisinger, Benjamin (Susan) Grisinger, and Andrew (Jacy) Grisinger. George is also survived by nine great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his dear friends, Arlene Loeffler, John Sherner, Bill Bestor, Jim Temo, the Hilton family and many more, whom he dearly loved. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the loving staff at Melody Living for watching over and caring for George during his struggle with Lewy Body Dementia over the past several years, and especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.Visitation, 10:00AM-11:30AM, Tuesday, August 25, 2020, The Springs Funeral Services - North, 6575 Oakwood Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80923. There is a gathering limit of 50 attendees. Face masks and social distancing guidelines apply.Graveside Service, 2:15PM, Tuesday, August 25, 2020, Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80235. The service will be streamed live. The link to watch the Graveside Service is on George's Tribute Wall on The Springs Funeral Services website. Events Graveside Tuesday, August 25, 2020 2:15PM Fort Logan National Cemetery 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard Denver, CO 80235 Phone: 303-761-0117 Visitation Tuesday, August 25, 2020 10:00AM - 11:30AM The Springs Funeral Services - North 6575 Oakwood Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80923 Phone: 719-207-8611 Final Resting Place Fort Logan National Cemetery 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard Denver, CO 80235