Ronald “Ron” Carl Hagerup, 73, passed away peacefully at his home in Thane in the early morning of Aug 21, 2025. He was surrounded by loved ones.

Born to Carl Ferdinand Hagerup and Agnes Marjorie (Erlandson) Hagerup in Juneau, Ak, he lived his entire life out Thane where his parents also homesteaded. He was the third generation of carpenters in his family, and a member of Local 2247 of the carpenter’s union. His grandpa Trygve was a charter member of 2247, and Ron was a part of the final generation before the local merged with Anchorage’s Local 1281. His craftsmanship contributed to many projects around southeast Alaska as well as Bethel.

In 1972, Ron bought property in Thane where he later built his shop (1978) and a small cabin (1981). He lived there for many years with “Gray Cat”, a kitten he had found and rescued. In 1981, he purchased a cabin in South Douglas at Lucky Me, a place he had cherished since his youth when visiting the Anderson Family who homesteaded the area. Over the years, the cabin was a place of retreat for him and his family. He enjoyed many hunting trips at the cabin as well as trips with family and friends. He especially enjoyed taking his daughters, Rose and Lily, to the cabin. In 1984, he began building the hydro system for the cabin, a project he had long wanted to accomplish, and he always expressed his appreciation for having access to a nearby creek. In the 1990’s, Ron began building his home on his Thane property and eventually lived there for a few years.

Ron was a part of the local Amateur Radio Club for many years. His interest began around age eight, when he read a book on crystal radio sets and built his first radio. That spark stayed with him throughout his life as he continued perfecting his homemade tube radios.

Ron enjoyed the outdoors- hiking, hunting, fishing, and flying. On rainy days, you could find him working in his shop, reloading ammunition in his reloading room, or tinkering around with something unique such as soda can stoves, or building a barrel stove. Ron was a natural modifier; he had a way of adapting, modifying, or figuring out creative solutions to make things work.

He was also an avid reader and enjoyed having a cat across his lap while reading a good book. He was interested in reading about history, electronics, stories of Alaskan living, and stories of people at sea.

Ron was also fascinated by navigation and taught himself celestial navigation, another example of his practical curiosity.

In his late teens and early twenties, Ron earned his private pilot’s license and owned a C150 (1971) and a 1946 Taylercraft (1974). He shared many stories to his daughters from his years of flying which brought him great joy.

Always curious and industrious, Ron was rarely without a project — whether new or revisiting something old.

Ron was a man of faith, having been saved by Jesus in 1980. He believed that salvation comes through faith alone and was always grateful for God’s gift of a way to heaven through the blood of Christ. He cherished sharing God’s beautiful creation with his daughters and often noted that the evidence of a creator is revealed through His handiwork.

Ron was a devoted father to his two daughters and included them in as much activity with him as he could. He taught them practical life skills, encouraged the use of imagination, and set an example to work with diligence and to always stay busy.

Ron is survived by his two daughters, Rose and Lily, his grandson Callum, and his sisters Marge and Karen.

He is preceded in death by his parents Carl and Agnes Hagerup.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the next coming months.

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